Here is the newest front in the creationism/evolution battle:
Dallas school plans master's in science education, fueling debate over teaching evolution
08:40 AM CST on Saturday, December 15, 2007
Texas' debate over teaching evolution is going to college.
The nonprofit Institute for Creation Research in Dallas wants to train
future science teachers in Texas and elsewhere using an online
curriculum. A state advisory group gave its approval Friday; now the
final say rests with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,
which will consider the request next month.
The
institute's proposal comes amid a fierce debate over how to teach
evolution – the theory that humans and other species evolved from lower
forms of life – in Texas public schools.
Some advocacy
groups are attacking the creation institute's plan, saying it's an
attempt to undermine the teaching of science in public schools.
"They teach distorted science," said Eugenie Scott, executive director
of the California-based National Center for Science Education, which
opposes teaching creationism in public schools. "Any student coming out
from the ICR with a degree in science would not be competent to teach
in Texas public schools."
The institute was created in
1970 by the late Henry M. Morris, a Dallas native known as the father
of "creation science," the view that science – not just religion –
indicates that a divine being created the Earth and all living things.
Patricia Nason, chairwoman of the institute's science education
department, said that, despite the institute's name, students learn
evolution along with creationism.
"Our students are given
both sides," said Dr. Nason, who has a doctorate in curriculum and
instruction from Texas A&M University. "They need to know both
sides, and they can draw their own conclusion."
The institute, through its graduate school, wants to offer an online master's degree in science education.
According to the school's Web site, it offers typical education
classes, teaching such fundamentals as how to use lab equipment, the
Internet and PowerPoint in the classroom. But it also offers a class
called "Advanced studies in creationism."
I think I would have to agree with Jonathan Adler at the Volokh Conspiracy that it may be better to pass on this. Nothing against private education, but when the name of the university conflicts with standard education curriculum, perhaps that is a hint something fishy is probably going to happen.
It does bring to mind the large amount of power state accreditation boards have over education, however. While relatively unnoticed, they control the gateway to our teacher and administrator certification processes. Everyone involved in educator preparation should be paying a little more attention to what is coming before these state panels, as this story illustrates.