2008 Senate Bill 1361

Mandate no administrative interference in science-teacher lessons

Introduced in the Senate

June 3, 2008

Introduced by Sen. Bill Hardiman (R-29)

To require public school boards and administrators to “endeavor to create an environment that encourages pupils to explore scientific questions, learn about scientific evidence, develop critical thinking skills, and respond appropriately and respectfully to differences of opinion about controversial scientific subjects, such as biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, human impact of climate change, and human cloning.” The bill would also prohibit school authorities from prohibiting a teacher from “helping a pupil to understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories pertinent to the course being taught”.

Referred to the Committee on Education