There are a lot of important posts here concerning the deceptively-named “academic freedom” bills being considered by the Florida legislature, but many posts get pushed further down the page as new information comes in. In an effort to make things a bit easier here are some links to use so you can jump right to the post you’re looking for.
UPDATE: An amendment is proposed for the bill. UPDATE II: The schools and learning meeting will be broadcast on the internet. Tune in!
Tracking the bills post: where you can see the history of the bills’ progress and find links to committee pages and such.
Media alert: news release sent out about a press conference and public roundtable discussion scheduled for Monday, 4/14 in Tallahassee.
News Release: a news release stating Florida Citizens for Science’s position on the bills.
Contact the House Schools and Learning committee: Information about the House committee that will be considering a bill Friday, 4/11. Also see the committee’s bill analysis published in advance of the meeting.
Here’s a new term, inspired by Mike O’Risal’s blog.
The “academic subversion bill.”
Or rather “freedom to allow critical thinking bill”
The classroom should allow critical thinking when it comes to presenting theories in the classroom. Indoctrination without critical thinking leads to mind numb robots.
And it’s covered in the Florida Science Standards. For example:
Nature of Science benchmark SC.912.N.1.3. to: †Recognize that the strength or usefulness of a scientific claim is evaluated through scientific argumentation, which depends on critical and logical thinking, and the active consideration of alternative scientific explanations to explain the data presented.â€
There is no secular reason to single out evolution.
“Indoctrination without critical thinking leads to mind numb robots.”
Good description of religion, specifically creationism.
“Or rather “freedom to allow critical thinking billâ€
Actually, it should be called, “The Biblical Inerrancy/Teachings of Christ, Hallelujah!” (BITCH) bill.
Actually, it should be called, “The Biblical Inerrancy/Teachings of Christ, Hallelujah!†(BITCH) bill.
ZIIIIINNNGGGGG!!!!!!!
I oughta copyright that.
Indoctrination without critical thinking leads to mind numb robots.
…which then end up in churches or get elected to represent mind numb robots.
Oh, when do I get to come to your church and talk to your sunday school kids about how the bible is a man-made docucment riddled with changes, errors, and about 30,000 variants within the new testament? You wouldn’t want them learning all that Jesus-stuff without engaging them in some discussions of how much of it is considered outright fabrication, or that there exist no originals, or that several of the books appeared hundreds of years after Jesus, would you? I mean, you’re thinking of the children’s critical thinking skills, right?
I just watched the video of Florida House Schools and Learning Council discuss the “academic freedom” bill. It is painfully clear that the republicans who voted in favor are incapable of rational thought. They gave the standard “teach the criticisms” speeches, but there was an interesting slip by Rep Hayes. You can see it at 1:44:00, where he says:
“The whole idea is to make sure that the teachers feel comfortable and insulated, if you will, from criticism that – because you’re not teaching the Theory of Evolution as the origin of the species….”
In other words, Hayes thinks teachers should be protected if they teach that common descent is false.
Although not a state congressperson, Kim Kendall also let out an interesting statement which pretty much shows how these people lack a good understanding of evolution. (Kim Kendall also spoke at the public hearings against evolution in the state science standards).
At 2:10:50, she says, regarding the proposed bill: “…this allows them to do the intent that the state board of education approved, bring the levels up, but it does release them – do they only expect us to only give support to the fossil record and we’re not allowed to say there are great lacking transitional fossils.”
The transparency of these people is astounding. Nothing will ever change their minds.
The pertinent part of the meeting begins at around 1:17:00.
To see a raving lunatic support the proposed bill, go to 2:10:00. To see another fun guy go to 1:45.
The video is at http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=2366
for April 11, 2008.