Resolution Undermining Science Education Passed by Indiana Senate

Resolution Undermining Science Education Passed by Indiana Senate

On February 27, 2017, the Indiana Senate passed a non-binding resolution “urging the Department of Education to reinforce support of teachers who choose to teach a diverse curriculum.” Critics fear this could encourage teachers to present proven scientific theories as unsettled and/or discuss alternative unproven concepts. Science education groups are particularly concerned that the resolution is intended to target the teaching of evolution. They note that the resolution expresses support for a Congressional recommendation that:

“where topics are taught that may generate controversy (such as biological evolution), that the curriculum should help students to understand the full range of scientific views that exist, why such topics can generate controversy, and how scientific discoveries can profoundly affect society.”

Critics fear that this may encourage the teaching of creationism as an alternative to evolution, causing students to believe that the two theories are equally valid from a scientific perspective, and/or to question the science of evolution.