The National Center for Science Education reports that the New Mexico House is will be considering an anti-evolution school curriculum bill, the 5th to be introduced across the country already this year.
If enacted, the bill would require teachers to be allowed to inform students "about relevant scientific information regarding either the scientific strengths or scientific weaknesses" pertaining to "controversial" scientific topics; The bill would protect teachers from "reassignment, termination, discipline or other discrimination for doing so."
"Strengths and weaknesses" sounds like a reasonable educational goal, but the true purpose is troublesome: empowering and encouraging teachers to undermine established scientific principles with religious objections. NCSE notes that this particular bill – House Bill 302 – is distinct in broadly requiring this practice not just for evolution but for all "controversial" topics.
Needless to say, the science curriculum should be determined by experts, not elected officials. But more to the point, while scientific controversies may be appropriate for science class, religious controversies are not! Teachers should stay out of the business of religious instruction.
