Cobb County issues evolution guidelines to teachers

MARIETTA - Four months after Cobb County schools opened the door to considering ``disputed views&#39;&#39; of evolution, the school district has issued guidelines that advise teachers to stick to science. <br> <br> Superintendent Joe Redden advised teachers Wednesday to adhere to state curriculum standards and to keep science classes focused on science. <br> <br> ``I don&#39;t think it&#39;s going to change at all the practices of our teachers,&#39;&#39; said Deputy Superintendent Don Beers. <br> <br> Some Cobb County parents, who hoped the new evolution policy would let teachers talk about creationism in the classroom, were disappointed by the guidelines. <br> <br> ``That&#39;s disappointing to me,&#39;&#39; said Marjorie Rogers, parent of an eighth-grader. ``I&#39;d like teachers to be encouraged to open discussions. I want it to be opened up so kids can be introduced to other scientific evidence that would disprove evolution.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The guidelines advise teachers to moderate class discussion carefully, and if conflicts arise, ``to promote a sense of scientific inquiry and understanding of scientific methods, and to distinguish between scientific and philosophical or religious issues.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The guidelines did not require board approval, but its seven members reviewed the language this week and did not object. <br> <br> The suburban Atlanta district became the center of national attention in September when its school board unanimously approved a policy on evolution that allowed science teachers to include ``disputed views&#39;&#39; on the origin of man. <br> <br> The American Civil Liberties Union dropped its plans to sue the school board over the new evolution policy, saying the final regulations were satisfactory. <br> <br> ``It certainly seems that the board is telling the teachers to back down on the teaching of creationism, intelligent design or other faith-based theories,&#39;&#39; ACLU attorney Michael Maneley said. <br> <br> However, the ACLU has another lawsuit pending against the Cobb County school board regarding textbook disclaimers that tell students evolution is a ``theory and not a fact&#39;&#39; and should be ``considered with an open mind.&#39;&#39;