By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services/Arizona Daily Star
Saying students are getting only one side of the debate, a state senator wants to free teachers to tell students why some believe there is no such thing as human-caused “global warming.”
More specifically, SB 1213 says school boards and officials cannot prohibit a teacher from helping students analyze and review the “strengths and weaknesses of existing scientific theories,” which means teachers would be free to tell students not only that they believe global warming is a myth, but would open the door for teachers to argue for the scientific validity of “intelligent design” as an alternative to evolution.
The proposal by Sen. Judy Burges, R-Skull Valley, says school boards must 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 issues.”
But Andrew Morrill, president of the Arizona Education Association, said that’s what teachers already do. Based on similar measures in other states, Burges’ bill points toward its origin, Morrill said.
The bill has all the markings of model legislation written by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative business-backed organization, to suppress certain issues like global warming, he said.
Burges said she did not get the language from the Legislative Exchange Council, saying it came from Tennessee. But she made it clear she believes only the environmentalists’ viewpoint is being presented.
