Members of the Ohio Science Standards Advisory Committee today called upon Ohio Governor Bob Taft to remove a benchmark, indicator and lesson from Ohio's science standards and endorsed curriculum. The material, they say, is "wholly without merit" and "embodies intelligent design creationism poorly concealed in scientific sounding jargon."

In 2001 the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), the Ohio Board of Regents (OBR), and the Ohio Business Roundtable identified and invited distinguished working scientists, science educators, arts and science faculty, science organization members and business representatives to serve on a science standards advisory committee. The committee was asked to prepare a philosophy statement, guiding principles and policy recommendations for ODE and OBR to lay the groundwork for the writing of Ohio's academic content standards, benchmarks and grade level indicators which were adopted by the Ohio Board of Education (OBE) in December 2002. (For more information on the formation of the committee and its original charge see
http://www.ode.state.oh.us/academic_content_standards/pdf/Fact_Sheet_Science_Standards.pdf)

Prior to adoption, however, the Ohio Board of Education undermined the process by inserting language requiring tenth grade biology students to "describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory."

In their letter to Gov. Taft today, these former science standards advisors stated "many of us warned then that in singling out this one scientific theory that has historically been opposed by certain religious sects, the Board sent the message that it believes there is some problem peculiar to evolution." The advisors' statement parallels that of Federal Judge John E. Jones III in his recent ruling against the Dover, PA school board's attempt to introduce "Intelligent-Design" Creationism in public schools there.

The former ODE science advisors noted that "such wording created an opportunity to teach creationist misrepresentations of science to Ohio's students." Referring to the embattled "Critical Analysis of Evolution" lesson adopted amid controversy in March 2004, the science content advisors told Gov. Taft "indeed, such a lesson tied to this indicator was prepared and accepted by the Ohio Board of Education in March 2004."

Of the lesson itself, ODE's own science standards advisory panel members said they found "it to be a pointed attempt to insert old and discredited creationist content in Ohio's science classrooms. The pedagogy is weak at best, of negative, misleading and debilitating educational value. This lesson is devoid of scientific thinking."

Noting that some members of the Ohio Board of Education have defended the lesson by claiming it does not contain Intelligent Design, the science advisory group observed that "while the lesson's authors assiduously avoided using the words "intelligent" and "design," the lesson embodies intelligent design creationism poorly concealed in scientific sounding jargon. Such cheap ploys are a disservice to Ohio's children and an insult to the intelligence of its good citizens."

Judge Jones' decision weighed in on this "teach the controversy" ploy and said it was "at best disingenuous."

Last week Gov. Taft stated the board should seek outside and objective opinion regarding the legality of the standards language. State Board members have indicated they hope to discuss the standards further when the board holds its regular monthly meeting in Columbus on Feb 14.

Of the thirty two members of the initial committee, twenty-one signed the statement sent to Governor Taft today. Some members of the committee could not be reached; all members who were successfully contacted approved the statement.

(Note added February 10, 2006: The statement has now been signed by twenty four of the thirty two members of the Advisoru Board.)

Media Contacts:

Patricia Princehouse, director of Ohio Citizens for Science
Dept. of Biology
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-368-8585
440-478-5292
440-286-7431

Richard B. Hoppe, CEO
IntelliTrade, Inc.
Gambier, OH 43022
740-393-7033
740-427-4218

Mano Singham PhD
Director
University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education
Case Western Reserve University
216-368-1224
216-752-5327