Opinion: An evolved form of creationism

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Just in case you thought this country had finally decided to teach science according to the precepts of science, here comes Louisiana with another stab at wedging creationism/intelligent design/teachers’ own random thoughts into the mix.

According to Education Week, Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the misnamed Louisiana Science Education Act, which says that teachers must use the material from standard science textbooks — but should feel free, at the same time, to ‘supplement’ those with self-chosen materials that examine scientific theories ‘in an objective manner,’ objective meaning something like, ‘Here’s what’s wrong with evolution.’ The law, by not mandating the instruction of creationism, might prove more difficult to challenge in court, at least until some teacher’s idea of objective supplemental material clashes with a parent’s demand for straight, unadulterated science instruction.

Considering Louisiana schools’ low performance on national tests, which makes California look not so bad by comparison, you’d think legislators would be worrying about getting these kids ready for jobs and college instead of monkeying around with science instruction.