Urgent: Science Under Attack In Ohio

The religious right’s assault on science is once again targeting classrooms in Ohio.

On Monday, the Ohio Board of Education will hold its first fall meeting. Creationists on the board are hoping to introduce a Controversial Issues Template, which would not only allow for the teaching of intelligent design in science classrooms, but demand that teachers question global warming and highlight the religious right’s opposition to stem cell research.

Take action now and demand that Ohio board members put our children’s science education above the agenda of the religious right and vote this proposal down.

Subject:

Dear Ohio Board of Education,

(Edit Letter Below)

I am deeply troubled by the proposed Controversial Issues Template that members of the Ohio Board of Education's Achievement Committee may introduce at the Board's first meeting this fall. By putting religious ideology above sound science, calling into question the unmatched scientific consensus supporting the theory of evolution and questioning the validity of global warming and stem cell research, this proposal shows deep disregard not only for the scientific integrity of your school systems, but ultimately for the future of Ohio's children.

Discussions about the many sides of issues are important, and various philosophical and spiritual viewpoints should be honored -but not in the context of a public school science classroom.

Therefore, should this Controversial Issues Template be introduced, I urge you to put the interests of Ohio's children first, and vote against it.

Further, I urge you to live up to the directive of Resolution 31 by calling for a vote on whether additional standards language is needed to replace the creationist language removed in February; and I appeal to you to vote that no additional anti-evolution language is needed.

Our nation's future rests in the hands of our children. As American students continue to fall behind the rest of the world in math and science, the last thing we should be doing is denying them an education based on the best available scientific knowledge and methodology. Our children need science classes that teach science, not religious ideology, as they prepare for the challenges of a new century.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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