New middle and high school science standards proposed by state Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox strike references to evolution and replace them with the term biological changes over time, a revision critics say will further weaken learning in a critical subject.

Outraged teachers already have told the state it is undercutting the science education of young Georgians.

Keeping the reviewers in the dark over the changes hasn't helped matters.

A committee of science teachers, college professors and curriculum experts was involved in reviewing the proposal. The state did not specify why the references to evolution were removed, and by whom, even to educators involved in the process.

Terrie Kielborn, a middle school science teacher in Paulding County who was on the committee, recalled that Stephen Pruitt, the state's curriculum specialist for science, told the panel not to include the word evolution.

We were pretty much told not to put it in there, Kielborn said. The rationale was community reaction, she said.

The proposal has copped some serious flak from further afield.

Here we are, saying we have to improve standards and improve education, and we're just throwing a bone to the conservatives with total disregard to what scientists say, said state Representative Bob Holmes, a Democrat.

Former president Jimmy Carter had harsh words for the change yesterday, calling it an embarrassment and saying it exposes the state to nationwide ridicule.

As a Christian, a trained engineer, and scientist, and a professor at Emory University, I am embarrassed by Superintendent Kathy Cox's attempt to censor and distort the education of Georgia's students, Carter said in a statement.

Even the fundies were unimpressed.

Social conservatives who prefer religious creation to be taught instead of evolution criticized the proposal as well.

Georgia may shun 'evolution' in schools - Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 29th January 2004.
Ga. plan strikes 'evolution' - Associated Press, 31st January 2004.