[Evolidaho] Fwd: [AIBS-Evolution-l]Fwd: [ncse-news] Evolution education update: December 7, 2007

[Resources for teaching evolution]

----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Gropp <rgropp at aibs.org>
Date: Friday, December 7, 2007 11:20 am
Subject: [AIBS-Evolution-l]Fwd: [ncse-news] Evolution education update: December 7, 2007
To: evolution-l at aibs.org

>
> >
> >
> >Dear Friends of NCSE,
> >
> >The news about Chris Comer's being forced to resign from her
> post at the
> >Texas Education Agency is still reverberating.  Plus a
> call for papers for
> >a special Darwin anniversary issue of Science & Education.
> >
> >THE LATEST ON THE COMER CONTROVERSY
> >
> >The forced resignation of the Texas Education Agency's director
> of science
> >curriculum continues to attract attention and comment.
> >
> >Writing in The New York Times (December 3, 2007), Ralph Blumenthal
> >reported, "After 27 years as a science teacher and 9 years as
> the Texas
> >Education Agency's director of science, Christine Castillo
> Comer said she
> >did not think she had to remain 'neutral' about teaching the
> theory of
> >evolution.  But now Ms. Comer, 56, of Austin, is out of a
> job, after
> >forwarding an e-mail message on a talk about evolution and
> creationism --
> >'a subject on which the agency must remain neutral,' according
> to a
> >dismissal letter last month that accused her of various
> instances of
> >'misconduct and insubordination' and of siding against
> creationism and the
> >doctrine that life is the product of 'intelligent design.'"
> >
> >The e-mail message that Comer forwarded, which was originally
> sent by NCSE,
> >announced a talk in Austin by Barbara Forrest, a professor of
> philosophy at
> >Southeastern Louisiana University and a member of NCSE's board of
> >directors, on the history of the "intelligent design" movement
> and her
> >expert testimony in Kitzmiller v. Dover, in which teaching
> "intelligent>design" in the public schools was ruled to be
> unconstitutional.  "I don't
> >see how I took a position by F.Y.I.-ing on a lecture like I
> F.Y.I. on
> >global warming or stem-cell research," Comer told
> Blumenthal.  "I send
> >around all kinds of stuff, and I'm not accused of endorsing
> it."  The
> >article added, "But she said that as a career science educator,
> 'I'm for
> >good science,' and that when it came to teaching evolution, 'I
> don't think
> >it's any stretch of the imagination where I stand.'"
> >
> >"We were actually told in a meeting in September that if
> creationism is the
> >party line, we have to abide by it," Comer subsequently told
> the Austin
> >American-Statesman (December 6, 2007), which originally broke
> the story
> >about her being forced to resign.  Over the past year, she
> said, the TEA
> >began increasingly to scrutinize and constrain the activities
> of its
> >employees in the curriculum department:  "We couldn't go
> anywhere. We
> >couldn't speak," she said.  "They just started wanting
> everything to be
> >channeled."  According to the newspaper, Comer maintained
> "that her ouster
> >was political and that she felt persecuted for having supported the
> >teaching of evolution in Texas classrooms."
> >
> >A spokesperson for the TEA was quoted by the American-Statesman
> as saying,
> >"Obviously, there was a concern about the forwarding of that e-
> mail ...
> >that she was supporting that particular speaker and [how] that
> could be
> >construed ... as taking a position that could be misinterpreted
> by some
> >people," and as contending that Comer evinced a lack of
> professionalism in
> >other ways.  Until her resignation, as the Times's
> Blumenthal noted, Comer
> >served for nine years at the TEA, following a twenty-seven-year
> stint as a
> >public school science teacher.
> >
> >Comer is scheduled to appear during the first hour of NPR's "Science
> >Friday" show, hosted by Ira Flatow, on December 7, 2007. 
> The description
> >for the show summarizes, "The education official responsible
> for the
> >science curriculum in the state of Texas resigned last month
> saying she was
> >forced to step down after being reprimanded for informing
> colleagues of a
> >talk on the conflict over the teaching of evolution. ...
> Comer's supervisor
> >said the email was grounds for termination as the 'FYI' email
> 'implies>endorsement of the speaker and implies that TEA
> endorses the speaker's
> >position on a subject on which the agency must remain
> neutral.'  In this
> >segment, Ira talks with Christine Castillo Comer about the case
> and about
> >evolution, 'intelligent design,' and creationism in Texas."
> >
> >The controversy comes shortly before Texas is about to embark
> on a revision
> >of its state science standards.  The new chair of the
> Texas state board of
> >education, Don McLeroy, told the American-Statesman that
> although he is a
> >creationist, "he doesn't necessarily think creationism should
> be taught in
> >schools.  Rather, he said, he supports current curriculum
> standards that
> >say students should 'analyze, review and critique scientific
> explanations,>including hypotheses and theories, as to their
> strengths and
> >weaknesses.'"  Steve Schafersman of Texas Citizens for
> Science retorted,
> >"This 'teach the controversy' and 'weaknesses of evolution' is
> nothing more
> >than an attempt to distort and disparage what really is one of
> the most
> >highly corroborated explanations in science."
> >
> >Editorial opinion, both within and outside Texas, has been
> critical of the
> >TEA and worried about the implications of the case for the
> integrity of
> >science education in Texas and across the country.
> >
> >The Austin American-Statesman (December 1, 2007) commented,
> "from all
> >appearances, Comer was pushed out because the agency is
> enforcing a
> >political doctrine of strict conservatism that allows no
> criticism of
> >creationism. ... Forcing Comer out of her job because she
> passed on an
> >e-mail about the critic's presentation is egregiously
> wrong."  The Corpus
> >Christi Caller-Times (December 4, 2007) concluded, "apparently state
> >education officials want educators to perpetuate an academic
> scam on the
> >state's schoolchildren in service to special interests." 
> And the Waco
> >Tribune's columnist John Young sarcastically commented
> (December 4, 2007),
> >"Imagine. Someone devoted to real science forwarding an e-mail about
> >someone devoted to the same thing."
> >
> >Adding to the chorus, the Houston Chronicle (December 4, 2007)
> editorially>commented, "Comer was simply alerting people to a
> relevant presentation by
> >a reputable education writer. ... Since Texas policy supports
> the inclusion
> >of evolution in science curriculum, it's hard to see how Comer was
> >violating state policy by circulating an event notice sent out
> by a group
> >that also endorses teaching evolution."  Echoing Barbara
> Forrest's>description of the TEA's stance as "just sad," the
> editorial added, "It
> >will be more than sad if the Texas Education Agency is leaning toward
> >taking an anti-evolutionary stance and allowing religious
> doctrine to be
> >taught side by side with valid science in the state's classrooms."
> >
> >In a similar manner, the Waco Tribune's editorial (December 6, 2007)
> >suggested that "Texas parents, teachers and lawmakers should be
> extremely>upset over the recent dismissal of the Texas Education
> Agency's director of
> >science curriculum," and warned, "Because the State Board of
> Education will
> >review the state science curriculum next year and set standards for
> >classroom instruction and textbook selection, Comer's abrupt
> removal could
> >signal an opening for the insertion of creationism or
> intelligent design
> >into science classrooms in Texas.  Texas parents, teachers
> and lawmakers
> >should be on guard that the state avoids the mistakes that led
> to the 2005
> >Dover, Pa., lawsuit."
> >
> >And in its editorial, the Dallas Morning News (December 7,
> 2007) commented,
> >"We hope this isn't the beginning of a worrisome trend within
> the new
> >leadership of the TEA and State Board of Education," adding,
> "If Ms. Comer
> >was incompetent, it's certainly not reflected by her 27-year
> career as a
> >teacher and nine years of service as director of science. 
> The impression
> >we get is that her bosses were gunning for her, and the
> forwarded e-mail
> >was the most expedient excuse they could find.  This
> action could not have
> >sent a worse message to our state's educators, when we should
> be doing
> >everything possible to encourage people to choose teaching as a
> career, not
> >frightening or bullying them into leaving."
> >
> >Writing in the Wisconsin State Journal (December 4, 2007),
> columnist Bill
> >Wineke commented, "If proponents of this scientific quackery
> can terrorize
> >a state education agency and force the resignation of a veteran
> science>teacher, they will establish a precedent that will
> cripple serious science
> >education not only in Texas but around the country."  The
> Eugene, Oregon,
> >Register-Guard's editorial (December 6, 2007) commented, "So
> if, as it
> >appears, the director of science curriculum for the Texas
> Education Agency
> >was forced to resign for forwarding an e-mail message about a
> presentation>by an author critical of the intelligent design
> approach to science
> >education, then it's appropriate to be both afraid and ashamed."
> >
> >And the New York Times (December 4, 2007) itself expressed
> concern about
> >Comer's termination on its editorial page, writing, "Is Texas
> about to
> >become the next state to undermine the teaching of
> evolution?  That is the
> >scary implication of the abrupt ousting of Christine Comer, the
> state's top
> >expert on science education. ... It was especially disturbing
> that the
> >agency accused Ms. Comer -- by forwarding the e-mail message --
> of taking a
> >position on 'a subject on which the agency must remain
> neutral.'  Surely
> >the agency should not remain neutral on the central struggle between
> >science and religion in the public schools.  It should
> take a stand in
> >favor of evolution as a central theory in modern biology. 
> Texas's own
> >education standards require the teaching of evolution. ... We
> can only hope
> >that adherents of a sound science education can save Texas from
> a retreat
> >into the darker ages."
> >
> >Those concerned for the integrity of science education have
> also been
> >voicing their concern.
> >
> >As NCSE reported earlier, Texas Citizens for Science released a
> detailed>statement on November 29, 2007.  Moreover,
> Americans United for Separation
> >of Church and State issued a press release dated November 28,
> 2007, calling
> >on the TEA to rehire Comer.  AU's executive director, the
> Reverend Barry W.
> >Lynn, remarked, "It's a sad day when a science expert can lose
> her job
> >merely for recommending that people hear a speaker defend sound
> science ...
> >Officials in Texas seem intent on elevating fundamentalist
> dogma over
> >academic excellence and common sense."
> >
> >Barbara Forrest herself released a statement through NCSE on
> December 5,
> >2007, deploring the situation.  "In forcing Chris Comer to
> resign as Texas
> >Director of Science, the Texas Education Agency has confirmed
> in a most
> >public, unfortunate way the central point of my Austin presentation,
> >'Inside Creationism's Trojan Horse,' the mere announcement of
> which TEA
> >used as an excuse to terminate her:  the intelligent
> design (ID)
> >creationist movement is about politics, religion, and power," she
> >wrote.  "If anyone had any doubts about how mean-spirited
> ID politics is,
> >this episode should erase them. ... For the last nine years at
> the TEA,
> >after twenty-seven years as a science teacher, Ms. Comer was
> doing her
> >part, and she got fired for doing it."
> >
> >And the American Institute for Biological Sciences issued a
> press release
> >on December 6, 2007, expressing outrage at the fact, expressed
> in the
> >memorandum recommending Comer's termination, that "the TEA
> requires, as
> >agency policy, neutrality when talking about evolution and
> >creationism."  "When it comes to science education, we
> absolutely cannot
> >remain neutral on evolution.  Evolution is the unifying
> principle of modern
> >biology," asserted Douglas J. Futuyma, president of the
> American Institute
> >of Biological Sciences and distinguished professor of ecology
> and evolution
> >at Stony Brook University.  "Within biological science,
> the reality of
> >evolution is not controversial."
> >
> >For the story in The New York Times, visit:
> >http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/us/03evolution.html
> >
> >For the text of the e-mail from NCSE, visit:
> >http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2007/TX/950_texas_education_official_force_11_29_2007.asp
> >
> >For the story in the Austin American-Statesman, visit:
> >http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/12/06/1206science.html
> >
> >For information about Comer's appearance on Science Friday, visit:
> >http://www.sciencefriday.com/
> >http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200712071
> >
> >For the cited editorials, visit:
> >http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-
> gen/blogs/austin/editorial/entries/2007/12/01/is_misdeed_a_creation_of_polit.html>http://www.caller.com/news/2007/dec/04/official-forced-out-for-telling-the-truth-on/
> >http://www.wacotrib.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2007/12/04/12032007wacyoung.html
> >http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/5352284.html
> >http://www.wacotrib.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2007/12/06/12062007wacedit.html
> >http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-comer_07edi.ART.State.Edition1.36b74e2.html
> >http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/column/index.php?ntid=260370&ntpid=1
> >http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=32284&sid=5&fid=1
> >http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/04/opinion/04tue3.html
> >
> >For the cited statements of concern, visit:
> >http://www.texscience.org/reviews/tea-science-director-resigns.htm
> >http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2007/TX/270_barbara_forrest_on_chris_comer_12_5_2007.asp
> >http://www.aibs.org/position-
> statements/20071206_aibs_president_1.html>
> >For the memorandum recommending Comer's termination (PDF), visit:
> >http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/Comer_firing_memo.pdf
> >
> >And for NCSE's previous coverage of events in Texas, visit:
> >http://www.ncseweb.org/pressroom.asp?state=TX
> >
> >CALL FOR PAPERS:  SPECIAL JOURNAL ISSUE OF SCIENCE & EDUCATION
> >
> >Darwinian Anniversary Year, 2009
> >
> >The year 2009 is a double anniversary:  200 years since
> Darwin was born
> >(February 12, 1809) and 150 years since the publication of On
> the Origin of
> >Species (November 24, 1859).  To celebrate this
> anniversary, a special
> >issue of Science & Education will be published.
> >
> >Researchers working on areas related to Darwinism and evolution
> education>are invited to contribute to this special issue. 
> Conceptual, theoretical,
> >empirical, and position-based manuscripts are welcome. 
> Examples of topics
> >may include (but are not limited to) the following:
> >
> >* Darwinism in the history and philosophy of science
> >* Darwin's methodology and theorizing
> >* Historical treatments of the Origin
> >* Darwinism and politics
> >* Darwinism and religion
> >* Current status of evolutionary theory
> >* Public understanding and acceptance or rejection of
> evolution, especially
> >in non-Western cultures
> >* Evolutionary explanations
> >* Evolution and teleology
> >* Empirical research in evolution education
> >* Evolution and the nature of science
> >* Creationism and "intelligent design"
> >* Cognitive barriers in understanding evolution
> >* Rationales and strategies for teaching evolution when it is
> controversial>* The teaching of evolution in cultures where
> Darwinism is rejected
> >* Other appropriate topics
> >
> >Submission Date:  December 31, 2008
> >Anticipated Publication Date:  November 2009
> >
> >Manuscripts, with abstract, should be submitted for review
> directly via
> >www.editorialmanager.com/sced/.
> >
> >Notification of intention to submit and subject matter is
> appreciated as it
> >assists coordination and planning of the issue.  Questions
> and inquires
> >should be directed to either of the guest editors:
> >
> >David W. Rudge
> >Biological Sciences & the Mallinson Institute for Science Education
> >Western Michigan University
> >3134 Wood Hall
> >Kalamazoo MI 49008-5410
> >david.rudge at wmich.edu
> >
> >Kostas Kampourakis
> >Geitonas School
> >PO Box 74128
> >Vari Attikis 16602
> >Athens, Greece
> >kkamp at ath.forthnet.gr
> >
> >For the on-line version of the call for papers, visit:
> >http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2007/US/955_call_for_papers_special_journ_12_4_2007.asp
> >
> >For information about Science & Education, visit:
> >http://www.springerlink.com/content/102992/
> >
> >REMINDER
> >
> >If you wish to unsubscribe to these evolution education
> updates, please send:
> >
> >unsubscribe ncse-news your at email.com
> >
> >in the body of an e-mail to majordomo at ncseweb2.org.
> >
> >If you wish to subscribe, please send:
> >
> >subscribe ncse-news your at email.com
> >
> >again in the body of an e-mail to majordomo at ncseweb2.org.
> >
> >Thanks for reading!  And as always, be sure to consult
> NCSE's web site:
> >http://www.ncseweb.org
> >where you can always find the latest news on evolution
> education and
> >threats to it.
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >
> >Glenn Branch
> >Deputy Director
> >National Center for Science Education, Inc.
>
>
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