Editorial: An evolving state

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007 | 7:05 a.m.

The Kansas Board of Education has changed its science curriculum guidelines - again - this time repealing requirements that "intelligent design" be taught as a viable alternative to evolution. Intelligent design promotes the theory that life is so complex that a higher authority must have created it.

According to a recent story by USA Today, the new guidelines are the fifth science curriculum standard that Kansas state education board members have set in eight years. The versions alternated between anti- and pro-evolution teachings, which were overturned or approved depending on whether the board's majority tilted toward socially conservative Republicans or moderate Republicans and Democrats.

The scale was tipped in favor of teaching the scientifically based theory of evolution back in November, when moderate Republicans were elected to seats formerly occupied by two of the board's conservative members. On Feb. 13 the board formally defined science as the search for natural explanations to what the universe offers, and it deleted language suggesting that evolutionary concepts were controversial or unproven.

While it is true that many people believe that the universe and its species were created by a higher power, those are teachings best left to religion classes. With growing concern over global warming and its effects, now - more than ever - we need to make certain that the nation's future scientists are grounded in the processes and concepts that will help them meet the 21st century's challenges.