Dana Ferguson

dferguson@argusleader.com

PIERRE — South Dakota lawmakers on Wednesday defeated a bill that would have allowed teachers to address strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories like evolution and climate change.

The House Education Committee voted to send the bill to the 41st day, effectively killing the proposal, on an 11-4 vote.

The decision came after almost an hour and a half of testimony. Supporters including Republican lawmakers, anti-Common Core groups, conservative advocacy groups and concerned parents said the measure would give teachers to explain potential flaws in theories like evolution and climate change.

Opponents from the South Dakota Department of Education, various education advocacy groups, teachers and others stood to oppose it saying it was unnecessary and could allow teachers to instruct on alternative theories not approved by local school boards.

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"I'm just concerned about the long-term ramifications this is opening up as far as things that you as a parent wouldn't want taught in that classroom," said Education Secretary Melody Schopp."

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jeff Monroe, R-Pierre, said he heard from teachers who didn't feel comfortable speaking to the weaknesses of scientific theories like evolution and climate change. He said providing additional latitude for teachers to explain potential flaws in theories and allowing them to provide alternate scientific theories without fear of retribution would benefit students' critical thinking skills.

He said current state science standards on evolution and climate change are "one-directional directives" that don't allow for analysis.

Rep. Chip Campbell, R-Rapid City, also supported the bill and said it would allow for broader discussions in the classroom.

“In science it is imperative that we show not only the strengths but also the weaknesses of theories," he said. "Weaknesses, not strengths, are the key to finding the truth."

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Ultimately lawmakers on the committee disagreed and felt that passing the bill could create problems for local school boards and could send a message that teachers could bring theories like Creationism in discussing evolution.

National and state science education groups celebrated the bill's defeat Wednesday, while conservative groups and others lamented its demise.

"Today's defeat of the 'alternative facts' science bill, SB 55, is a victory for South Dakota students parents, science teachers, and everyone who cares about the quality and integrity of science education in South Dakota," Lisa Hoyos, director of Climate Parents said in a statement. "It's essential that students learn evidence-based science so that they have the tools to innovate solutions to challenges they'll confront over their lifetimes---from curing disease to addressing climate change."

Follow Dana Ferguson on Twitter @bydanaferguson, call (605) 370-2493 or email dferguson@argusleader.com