Louisiana's Ouachita Parish School Board passed a resolution to give legal protection to teachers who teach about the controversies surrounding Darwin's theory of evolution.
The resolution, called the Teacher Academic Freedom to Teach Scientific Evidence Regarding Controversial Scientific Subjects, states that "teachers shall be permitted to help students understand, analyze, critique and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and weaknesses of existing scientific theories pertinent to the course being taught."
The policy was adopted after teachers asked for clarification of their rights.
Casey Luskin, education policy specialist with the Discovery Institute Center for Science and Culture, said the teachers were wise to ask for a written policy.
"There is a disturbing trend of teachers, students and scientists coming under attack for questioning evolution," he said. "Free speech and academic freedom are cherished principles in America and too important to be sacrificed to the intolerant demands of extremists on any issue."
The school district, Luskin said, should be praised for taking a stand and protecting teachers and students who discuss scientific issues in the classroom.
"Teachers are the real winners in this case," he said, "because they now have clear protection to help students analyze all aspects of controversial scientific issues without worrying whether or not they will be fired or censored by their school district."
