The Cobb County school board voted unanimously Thursday to review for 30 days a proposal that says the district "believes that discussion of disputed views of academic subjects is a necessary element of providing a balanced education, including the study of the origin of the species."
Board Chairman Curt Johnston said he did not know how the policy would change current classroom practices and was unsure whether the new language would allow creationism to be discussed. "We've been told by our attorney we're not allowed to teach creationism. But the point is we want free and open discussion in the classroom," Johnston said. "And our teachers are nervous about what they can talk about. This will clarify things." The board is expected to vote on the policy Sept. 26.
Cobb County schools are already in court over the science curriculum. The American Civil Liberties Union on Wednesday sued to remove disclaimers on biological evolution in thousands of middle and high school textbooks. The district put stickers in science books that said evolution is theory, not fact, and should be critically considered.
