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Evolution vs. Creation
Analysis: Darwin's defenders inspire debate on education board
Monday, July 14, 2003
If evolution plays a major role in Kansas politics during the next 18 months, Darwin's defenders -- not Darwin's detractors -- will have revived the debate. Reopening the evolution debate seems like an odd tactic for two Democrats and three Republicans on the State Board of Education, who are known as its moderate bloc and are sometimes pitted against a more conservative bloc of five Republicans.
Board splits on evolution debate
Thursday, July 10, 2003
The fight over teaching the origins of life has evolved into a stalemate.
And for the state's pro-evolution forces, that's good, because science standards in place require Kansas students to learn about evolution.
Evolution up for renewed scrutiny
Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Evolution could become a hot topic again for the State Board of Education. Board members said they planned to discuss today whether they wanted to review science testing standards in place for the past two years, which make evolution an important topic for students to learn.
It's respect for knowledge
Thursday, March 13, 2003
A furor erupted a few weeks ago at Texas Tech University in Lubbock and spread across the country when a biology professor, Michael L. Dini, indicated on his Web site that he would not write letters of recommendation for medical school applicants if they could not cite evolution to explain human origins. Micah Spradling, a student in Dini's biology class and a professed Christian, objected that citing evolution "would be denying my faith."
Creationism debate hits Capitol Hill
Friday, October 5, 2001
By Joel Mathis
Hidden deep within the education bill being considered by the U.S. Congress is an amendment designed to pave the way for the teaching of creationism in public schools.
Evolution restored: Board approves new science standards
Wednesday, February 14, 2001
(Updated Wednesday at 11:03 a.m.) Evolution has been restored as a central theory in Kansas' science curriculum, ending a debate that subjected the state to international ridicule over the teachings of the origins of man.
Evolution vote expected Wednesday
Wednesday, February 14, 2001
After 18 months of national and international attention, the state Board of Education planned Wednesday to approve new science standards with a greater emphasis on evolution.
'Darwin' pays birthday visit to KU
Tuesday, February 13, 2001
By Joel Mathis
Charles Darwin — the actor playing him, anyway — took to the steps of Dyche Hall at Kansas University to a loud ovation from the crowd gathered Monday to celebrate his 192nd birthday.
"Thank you, Kansas," the Darwin impersonator said. "I hope I'm allowed to stay."
State BOE signals that evolution will return
Wednesday, January 10, 2001
By Scott Rothschild
The Kansas State Board of Education started its new term Tuesday by signaling the demise of anti-evolution science standards. Members agreed to include the controversial theory in statewide tests that Kansas students start taking in March. The board's new direction culminated 18 months of vigorous debate about evolution and what students should be taught.
BOE to look at science tests
Monday, January 8, 2001
After more than a year of national criticism, debate and political upheaval, the State Board of Education is prepared to make evolution a cornerstone of its science testing standards.
Drought was top issue at state level
Monday, January 1, 2001
J-W Staff Reports
Weeks of hot, dry weather that shriveled crops and delayed planting of the 2001 wheat crop was voted the top state story by Journal-World readers and 6News viewers.
Let's learn more about life
Thursday, December 28, 2000
By Leonard Krishtalka
Imagine the following. Aliens land on Earth in a field near Clinton Lake. Upon emerging from the spaceship, the aliens' first words are not the proverbial, "take us to your leader." Instead, they wave a wand-like device at the horizon and say: "Your planet is teeming with life. Our sensors tell us that there are millions of life forms here — many more than on our planet.
Evolution backers leave board
Wednesday, December 13, 2000
Linda Holloway voted for new science testing standards that de-emphasized evolution as a member of the Kansas State Board of Education. Sonny Rundell voted against them.
Pennsylvania mulls evolution 'theory'
Sunday, December 3, 2000
Controversial new standards for teaching science in Pennsylvania propose that evolution be treated as a "theory," and that alternative theories also be taught as part of schools' science curriculum.
Evolution may return to state tests
Saturday, November 11, 2000
By Tim Carpenter
If newly elected members of the Kansas State Board of Education act in January, there's time to add evolution questions to controversial state science assessments before testing begins in the spring. Substitute questions that integrate concepts tied to evolution were developed at a Kansas University test-writing center with the expectation of heavy turnover on the state board.
'Inherit the Wind' more timely than ever
Sunday, October 1, 2000
By Jan Biles
After a false start on opening night due to a Mother Nature-induced power outage, the Lawrence Community Theatre's production of "Inherit the Wind" has weathered the weather and is bringing the emotion of the on-going evolution debate to its stage.
Kansas flunks evolution test
Wednesday, September 27, 2000
In a new chapter of a dispute that pits science against religion, a national organization of scientists gives schools in 19 states unsatisfactory grades for teaching evolution.
Religion, evolution in schools
Tuesday, August 22, 2000
By Jack Anderson and Douglas Cohn
United Feature Syndicate
The line between religion and science has often resembled something akin to wave theory. Science will disprove some religious teaching only to be followed by a religous explanation, thereby creating first a gulf then a closeness between the two versions.
BOE poised to flip stance
Wednesday, August 9, 2000
By Tim Carpenter
Journal-World Writer
The newest member of the Kansas State Board of Education says he will work to change testing standards for public schoolchildren to include the theory of evolution. John Bacon predicts the evolution issue will still be around for the 2002 election. But he won't be the one to bring it up unless he has to.
Despite evolution flap, changes not imminent in state's schools
Sunday, August 6, 2000
The Kansas State Board of Education's expected ideological flip-flop on evolution is likely to have limited effect on Kansas' 304 school districts. The board's vote a year ago to play down the importance of evolution in public schools was the big issue in Tuesday's primary election, but districts had largely ignored the decision.
Evolution likely to be examined on science tests
Friday, August 4, 2000
A Kansas University associate says he's readied some evolution questions just in case the issue is added to statewide tests. If the State Board of Education next year decides to make evolution part of statewide science tests, the questions will be ready and waiting.
Voters toss out two BOE members
Wednesday, August 2, 2000
Linda Holloway and Mary Douglass Brown, who supported de-emphasizing evolution on state standardized tests, lost their bids for re-election to the Kansas State Board of Education.
State BOE candidates agree on some issues
Sunday, July 30, 2000
Evolution has highlighted differences between Linda Holloway and Sue Gamble in their Republican primary race for a seat on the Kansas State Board of Education. Holloway was chairwoman of the board last year when it approved science testing standards that de-emphasize the importance of evolution, and she is a vocal defender of that decision.
'Nightline' comes calling on evolution
Tuesday, July 25, 2000
By Erwin Seba
Journal-World Writer
A KU professor and Missouri creationist offer their views of universe's origins for the ABC News show. Kansas' battle over the teaching of evolution isn't quite ready for prime time, but it is scheduled to get national media attention tonight on "Nightline."
Evolution-creationism debate spreads past state
Sunday, July 23, 2000
Celtie Johnson took a seat near the front of the crowded auditorium. She recognized her neighbor, turned to him and said, cheerfully, "We are archenemies." He smiled back. Johnson describes herself as a creationist. Her neighbor for the evening was Ralph Neas, president of the People for the American Way Foundation, a civil liberties group.
Graves endorses moderates for BOE
Thursday, July 20, 2000
Opponents of the candidates the governor endorsed said they didn't think the endorsement would matter.
Creation beliefs
Wednesday, July 19, 2000
GOP leaders to select BOE member's replacement
Wednesday, July 19, 2000
Republican leaders from 21 counties plan to meet Aug. 2 to pick a replacement for Scott Hill on the Kansas State Board of Education.
Acting out on behalf of evolution
Thursday, July 13, 2000
By Erwin Seba
Journal-World Writer
Much like they do at the Academy Awards, Hollywood actors made impassioned pleas for their cause Wednesday at Kansas University's Lied Center. The cause: The Kansas State Board of Education's decision to downplay evolution in public school assessment tests.
Creationists, scientists square off in debate
Thursday, July 13, 2000
By Erwin Seba
Journal-World Writer
Seventy-five years after the Scopes Monkey Trial on the teaching of evolution, actors revisited parts of the courtroom drama Wednesday on a stage in the state where debate on the theory continues. In a panel discussion afterward, scientists and creationists both said they were victims of concerted efforts to silence their truths.
Kansas BOE member announces resignation
Thursday, July 13, 2000
A State Board of Education member whose status as a Kansas resident was in doubt has decided to resign rather than face an attempt to remove him from office. Scott Hill, a Republican, plans to leave the board Monday. Hill maintains a ranch north of Abilene, but he also raises cattle and sheep on a ranch near Mosby, Mont. In June he voted in Montana's primary election.
Even in 'Origins,' the play's the thing
Thursday, July 13, 2000
By Jan Biles
Journal-World Features-Arts Editor
Wednesday night, when I entered the Lied Center to see "Origins," I thought, "I should have brought along a paring knife to peel away the politics so I could get to the core of it all."
Evolution not the only issue in board races
Monday, July 10, 2000
Evolution is sure to receive much attention in State Board of Education races, but candidates also are talking about such issues as student testing, teacher preparation and the relationship of board members.
Symbolic message
Monday, July 10, 2000
2nd District primary will help heat up Board of Education race
Monday, July 3, 2000
The board's decision last year to de-emphasize the teaching of evolution has spiced up this year's election. Republican primaries in four State Board of Education districts feature candidates who disagree about state science standards that de-emphasize evolution.
Governor says board member should resign
Friday, June 30, 2000
A State Board of Education member who registered to vote in Montana earlier this year "should have resigned months ago," Gov. Bill Graves said Thursday.
Graves foresees changes on BOE
Friday, June 30, 2000
Gov. Bill Graves is confident enough that change is coming to the State Board of Education that he doesn't feel the need to help critics of the board's decision to de-emphasize evolution in science testing standards.
Group defends timing of 'Monkey Trial' play
Wednesday, June 28, 2000
By Erwin Seba
Journal-World Writer
A new play about the Scopes Trial will be staged just before primary elections are held this summer.
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