The ‘Evolution Disclaimer’ Fiasco
(Originally published in early December, 1999 as the fiasco was unfolding)
There are few facets of public education more frustrating to the ‘Average Okie’ than the teaching of evolution in the public schools. For years the ‘Fundies’ have been attempting various methods to mandate the teaching of ‘Creationism’, either in addition to or in lieu of the teaching of ‘Evolution Theory’ in Oklahoma’s public schools. Their latest attempt involved a clearly unconstitutional attempt to include ‘Creationism Theory’ by way of an ‘evolution disclaimer’ mandated for inclusion in all biology textbooks approved for use in Oklahoma’s public schools.
The vehicle for the ‘evolution disclaimer’ was a little known committee of Oklahoma government, the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee. The committee members are appointed by the governor of Oklahoma, at the time of this writing the Honorable Frank Keating. Governor Keating is referred to by some residents of Oklahoma as ‘BumbleFrank’ owing to his uncanny knack for bumbling, sticking his foot in his mouth and generally embarrassing those Oklahomans with in IQ greater than 85.
The “Evolution Disclaimer Fiasco” began on November 5, 1999 when the Oklahoma Textbook Committee comprised of 11 members, all hand picked by Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, aka “Bumble Frank” voted unanimously to require the following “disclaimer” appear in all high school Biology text books used in the public schools of Oklahoma:
Message from the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee:
This textbook discusses evolution, a controversial theory, which some scientists present as scientific explanation for the origin of living things, such as plants and humans.
No one was present when life first appeared on earth. Therefore, any statement about life’s origins should be considered as theory, not fact.
The word evolution may refer to many types of change. Evolution describes changes that occur within a species. (White moths, for example, may evolve into gray moths). This process is micro evolution, which can be observed and described as fact. Evolution may also refer to the change of one living thing into another, such as reptiles into birds. This process, called macro evolution, has never been observed and should be considered a theory. Evolution also refers to the unproven belief that random, undirected forces produced a world of living things.
There are many unanswered questions about the origin of life, which are not mentioned in your textbook, including: Why did the major groups of animals suddenly appear in the fossil record, known as the Cambrian Explosion? Why have no new major groups of living things appeared in the fossil record in a long time? Why do major groups of plants and animals have no transitional forms in the fossil record? How did you and all living things come to possess such a complete and complex set of instructions for building a living body? Study hard and keep an open mind. Someday you may contribute to the theories of how living things appeared on earth.
As the initial news of the Textbook Committee’s action spread so did information pertaining to the make up of the committee. News media reports revealed:
The majority of members of the committee are also members of a teachers organization called the Association of Professional Oklahoma Educators, an ultra- conservative organization representing only 1,200 Oklahoma teachers.
No members of the Oklahoma Education Association, representing the remaining 26,000 Oklahoma teachers were on the committee.
Only one of the members teaches high school science.
One committee member, Laura Dobson, a kindergarten teacher stated that she used the advice of a Florida evangelist who preaches that the Loch Ness Monster is a dinosaur whose existence proves that evolutionary theory is a hoax.
Committee member John Dickmann a middle school teacher, and member that introduced the disclaimer stated: “Some of us on the committee wanted to send a strong statement to the publishers that we are fed up with textbooks that only present one side of the story”
With the action of a committee such as this it is not surprising that it did not take long for news of the Textbook Committee’s “evolution disclaimer” to spread. Within days it was “national news” as ABC News featured a report report titled “Evolution Questioned in Okla”. This was only the beginning of the story. Before the story played out fully Oklahoma was once again the laughing stock of the nation.
Shortly the ABC News report a number of authors of Biology textbooks made public a letter addressed to “Oklahoma Parents and Educators” in which they expressed their surprise and disappointment at the actions of the Oklahoma Textbook Committee. That letter is available here: Letter to Oklahoma Parents and Educators
As news of the “evolution disclaimer” spread far and wide there developed an intense interest in the events taking place in Oklahoma. Advocacy groups supporting the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution took note of the on-going debate, and numerous articles published decrying Oklahoma’s efforts to return to the days of the Scopes Monkey Trial.
The National Science Teachers Association’s issued a statement which said the organization “believes that the disclaimer does not reflect an accurate interpretation of the concept of evolution and distorts the nature of science. . . . In addition, it does nothing to improve the quality of science education in Oklahoma, and will only confuse science teachers and students and weaken the integrity of science education.”
Within Oklahoma the “evolution disclaimer” was the focus of great debate and the issue heated up rapidly. Politicians, religious leaders, educators and the general public “chose sides” and argued the issue throughout the “holiday season” and 1999 came to a close with the issue of Oklahoma’s “evolution disclaimer” unresolved.
Here are some highlights, compiled from news media reports, from that period:
Senator Jerry Smith of Tulsa stated, “Evolution is a theory. Nobody was around when it happened. I don’t have a problem teaching Creationism in the classroom.”
Senator Charles Ford of Tulsa speaking in reference to the evolution disclaimer stated, “I don’t see any harm.”
Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, speaking in defense of his hand picked Textbook Committee said, “On the other hand, I would say it would be unacceptable to say creation science should not be taught in public schools.”
When it was pointed out that the United States Supreme Court had ruled that “Creationism” could not be taught in public schools, Keating replied with “I Dissent”. Evidently Keating believes he has the power to over-ride a Supreme Court ruling.
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