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October 27, 2004

Dumbing Down in Dover

Argh. Brain. Shrinking.:

Last week, a majority [of the Dover Area School Board] mandated the teaching of intelligent design in science class. A vaguely worded curriculum change reads as follows: “Students will be made aware of gaps/problems in Darwin’s Theory and of other theories of evolution including, but not limited to intelligent design. Note: Origins of life will not be taught.”

Interesting. While the theory of evolution only addresses the diversity of life, intelligent design most certainly begins with the "origins of life." I've never heard of an ID-proponent claiming that some kind of amorphous, yet living, blob was here on Earth and then a greater intelligence came along and played DNA-jumble with it.

So, we're left with a board that wants to introduce their pet religious belief, when they clearly don't even understand it themselves. Lord help the state of education (and, for that matter, religion) in Delaware.

The board has lost two solid members who resigned in protest of the curriculum change.

Maybe there's some hope after all, if those two are any kind of example.

Teachers say they have no training in intelligent design instruction — which will necessitate costly seminars.

They need training in how to teach intelligent design? That's about as silly as asking someone for the recipe for ice. Here's all you need to know, dear Dover teachers:

Goddidit!

...or, for those of a more flashy bent:

Abracadabra!

Now, if only one could wave a wand and raise the collective IQ of the Dover area by 10 or 20 points.