The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has expressed concern over a proposed Oklahoma legislation that would encourage the state’s public school teachers to question the well-established science behind evolution and global climate change.
In a letter dated March 21 to state Senator John Ford, Chair of the Oklahoma Senate Education Committee, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner, reaffirmed that there is virtually no scientific controversy among the overwhelming majority of researchers on the core facts of global warming and evolution. The Oklahoma bill — HB1551 — asserts scientific controversy where none exists, he writes, and will only serve to confuse students, not enlighten them.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed the bill on March 15. It has now been assigned to the Senate Education Committee.
In Tennessee, legislators are considering similar bills that would encourage teachers to explore the ‘scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses’ of topics such as climate change and biological evolution. When one Tennessee bill (HB 368) appeared in 2011, AAAS strongly opposed its passage in a letter sent to members of the state’s House of Representatives.
AAAS has again reaffirmed its opposition to HB 368 and its counterpart SB 893. On March 19, SB 893 passed the Tennessee Senate while HB 368 was approved by the state House of Representatives on April 7, 2011.
