Controversial Science Policy In A Louisiana School System

The Associated Press reported last week that the Ouachita Parish, Louisiana school board has adopted a controversial new policy on the teaching of science. The policy says that the district "understands that the teaching of some scientific subjects such as biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming and human cloning, can cause controversy and that some teachers may be unsure of the district's expectations concerning how they should present information on such subjects.... [Therefore]teachers shall be permitted to help students understand, analyze, critique and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and weaknesses of existing scientific theories pertinent to the course being taught." Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, says this is an invitation for teachers to talk about creationism and intelligent design. [Thanks to Wall of Separation for the lead.]