Evolution hearings advance in Kansas

By DAVID KLEPPER

The Kansas City Star
Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005

TOPEKA — State school board members moved ahead Monday with plans for courtroom-style hearings on the teaching of evolution, even as critics called on scientists to boycott the proceedings.

A three-member subcommittee of the Board of Education set tentative dates — May 5-7 and 12-14 — for the hearings, which will feature proponents and critics of evolution.

The three board members say they have concerns about whether alternatives to the theory, or at least criticism of it, is included in science curriculum. They say the hearings will help them and the public to resolve the controversy, and won't be a reprisal of the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” trial, in which criminal charges were brought against a teacher who taught evolution.

“That was a trial,” said board Chairman Steve Abrams, who led the three-member science standards subcommittee. “These are hearings,” designed to “get to the bottom of a great controversy.”

But it may prove difficult to find anyone to speak for the science community. Kansas Citizens for Science is asking scientists not to participate. Critics say the panel has made up its mind and any scientist who defends evolution will be doing so before a rigged jury. They fear the hearings will generate negative national attention at the expense of Kansas' reputation for academics and research.

Harry McDonald, of Kansas Citizens for Science, called the hearings “a charade” and said “scientists, not fake scientists, fight their battles in the science community.”

The panel discussed the hearings for weeks before formally endorsing the plan Monday. Last week, the panel suggested accepting written testimony instead of oral hearings. In the end, however, Abrams said oral hearings will be more educational. After the hearings, the subcommittee will report to the full school board, which will vote on any curriculum changes.

Abrams said he would like to hold the hearings in Topeka. The public is encouraged to attend, but will not be allowed to speak. He said he wants to find a location that could accommodate as many as 300 people.

In 1999, the school board voted to de-emphasize the teaching of evolution. That move attracted national attention and was reversed when voters elected new school board members.

Steve Case, a University of Kansas professor of science education who is co-chairman of the state's 26-member science curriculum committee, said the hearings may generate just as much attention. Case has decided not to participate in the debate.

“I don't think Dayton, Tennessee, has recovered from the first Scopes trial yet,” Case said.

To reach David Klepper, send e-mail to [email protected] or call 1-(785) 354-1388.