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Evolution could be coming to your children’s science classrooms.  A panel of education experts just wrapped up three days of meetings at the state Department of Education to hammer out new standards.  As Chris Casquejo tells us, the state board of education will have the final say next month.

Here it here: Evolution Coming Soon To Florida Classrooms?

The way science is taught in Florida public school classrooms could soon change.
Right now, the state science curriculum uses the words “biological changes over time” not “evolution.” Biology teacher Nicholas Daigle believes the current standards shortchange students.

“It’s very hard to teach good biological science without mentioning evolution,” Daigle said.  “It’s one of the basic underpinnings of modern biological science.”

A panel of more than 50 educators met over the past three days to hammer out the finishing touches on the new science standards.

Since work began on the new standards last May, the state Department of Education has heard from more than 10,000 people.

Many believe that evolution should be taught as just one theory.  They want the state board to include alternatives, such as intelligent design.  The Department of Education says the board will take it all into consideration.

“There are multiple views to include evolution, the theory of evolution, to not include it, to include it and other theories,” said Mary Jane Tappen, director of the DOE office of math and science.  “So they’ll get all those facts.”

Governor Charlie Crist is taking a wait and see attitude.

“I think the way it’s been handled historically in Florida is probably appropriate,” Gov. Crist said.  “It’s been introduced and discussed in terms of being a theory.  I don’t know if there’s a need for a change in that.  But I’ll leave the decision to the board.”

The State Board of Education will vote on the new standards on February 19th.

Public comment on the Florida Department of Education’s website ended on December 14th.