Sunday, December 2, 2007

Texas Forces Resignation Of Science Educator For Believing in Evolution

Texas' Director of science curriculum was forced to resign under pressure from officials who said she criticized the instruction of "intelligent" design (i.e., creationism).

What specifically was the proverbial straw the broke the camel's back? Chris Comer (state director of science curriculum) received an email announcing a presentation being given by Barbara Forrest, author of "Inside Creationism's Trojan Horse". Comer forwarded the email as an FYI to several individuals and a few online communities she thought would be interested in the topic.

The problem? In her book, Barbara Forrest says creationist politics are behind the movement to get "intelligent" design theory taught in public school science classes (note from Daily Dude: what else but politics could explain it? Creationism certainly isn't science).

In justifying their decision to fire Comer, Texas Education Agency officials said, "[By forwarding the email] Ms. Comer . . . implies endorsement of the speaker."

Advocacy groups said the action against Comer was troubling."This just underscores the politicization of science education in Texas," said Eugenie Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education. "In most states, the department of education takes a leadership role in fostering sound science education. Apparently TEA employees are supposed to be kept in the closet and only let out to do the bidding of the board."

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