Schools Req'd to notify parents before teaching evolution

[tanguay'sstillgood]

Originally Posted by Finny61

those people would likely argue why do I have to fork tons of money to send my kid to private school. I'm not sayin' I'm just sayin'. But hey welcome to the wonderful world of political correctness, it screws all sides sometime.

I'm not arguing with you, but perhaps this is why:
What if me and my friends believe in Empedocles' 4 elements atomic theory? I don't want my kids learning this stupid Periodic Table thing, as none of those elements actually exist in my eyes. Lets make this an optional part of the curriculum.

I know this may be a dumb comparison, but to people who understand evolution, it is likely something you can relate to. The point is, if we are going to bother educating kids then we should at least do it right. Picking and choosing to only teach the parts we like most doesn't get the job done. I think this quote from the CBC article sums it up very well:

"Bruseker said it would be difficult for teachers to avoid the topic of evolution in science or geography classes."

Anyways, that's just how I might repond to someone complaining that they have to pay for private school for their kids. Maybe if they really understood what they were fighting against they would feel different. Unfortunately, that isn't the case for a lot of people. I would finish by telling them that even though they may be a lost cause, there could still be hope for their kids to have a realistic view of how the world around them works.

Oh, and on a separate note, I wonder how universities will react to this? Time for a new entrance exam for undergrad science programs?

[Reaper]

This has got to be step one in some sort of plan by Stelmach to invent a time machine while fully knowing he hasn't got a snowball's chance in hell. As an alternative, Stelmach opts to make society go backwards.

[MarchHare]

From the CBC article:

The new rules, which would require schools to notify parents in advance of "subject-matter that deals explicitly with religion, sexuality or sexual orientation," is buried in a bill that extends human rights to homosexuals. Parents can ask for their child to be excluded from the discussion.

[...]

"With respect to values, religion and sex education have always been areas of concern for parents, and they've always been areas parents have had the right to be notified about and to exempt their students from," Hancock said.

EVOLUTION IS NOT A RELIGIOUS SUBJECT.

[jammies]

Hahahahahha... what?

They can't be serious. Just can't be. Doesn't the gov't have more important things to worry about, like a massive frickin' recession?

It's about time the cities took back this province from the yokels. Any party that just stands up and says, "We're for fiscal responsibility and not looking like a bunch of redneck hayseeds" gets my vote.

[Bobblehead]

If a child asks a question about dinosaurs, do the teachers need to send a letter home before they can answer?

Idiotic

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

From the CBC article:



EVOLUTION IS NOT A RELIGIOUS SUBJECT.

Only in the mind of a logical scientific person.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Only in the mind of a logical scientific person.

Or even a mildly intelligent, non-Biblicist (ie: not literally interpreting) religious person.

[peter12]

This is so horrifyingly embarrassing. Kids need more science, not less. I actually went to a Christian private school from Grade 2-7 and I remember the Creationist science classes that I took through Grade 6 and 7. Somehow, even in my young state, I remember cringing in embarrassment as the "teacher" recreated Creation with a set of plastic dinosaurs. Oh well, I turned out okay.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by tanguay'sstillgood

If I want to actually ask evolution questions on the final exam...

Good point. What will happen?

From what I remember of high school the finals were standard tests across the province. Is it still that way?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by peter12

Oh well, I turned out okay.

Are you really qualified to make that assessment?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by SebC

Are you really qualified to make that assessment?

I did my thesis on incorporating evolutionary biology into the Hayekan liberal worldview.

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by peter12

This is so horrifyingly embarrassing. Kids need more science, not less. I actually went to a Christian private school from Grade 2-7 and I remember the Creationist science classes that I took through Grade 6 and 7. Somehow, even in my young state, I remember cringing in embarrassment as the "teacher" recreated Creation with a set of plastic dinosaurs. Oh well, I turned out okay.

This doesn't mean that students will get less science. This is such a non-starter. Yours and my kids are NOT prevented from learning evolution. They are given the option of walking out of the classroom if discussed. These are topics that are talked about in grade 5 and 6. So science from grade 1-4 is unaffected. Just so you and the others don't worry about science education my grade 3 class finished studied....structures. AS A FINAL PROJECT my kids build towers to hold loads of 500g min. The ended up building towers that could hold 30kg +. We talked about loads, compression, tension, gravity and stress.

By grade 4-6 they will have already gone beyond this we are worrying about argument.

BTW:
Grade 9 onwards this is a total option for all kids. Just ask Ralph Klein.

[Hack&Lube]

I never learned about evolution in grade 5 or 6. In fact I don't remember when I officially was "taught it". I certainly knew about it and read up on it myself long before it really presented itself in the classroom and honestly, of all 12 grades of public school, it was hardly ever brought up...if even. I had to go learn it myself.

Science was restricted to your physics, chem, etc. and biology classes all focused on subjects like ecology and photosynthesis, etc. We never really ever were even taught anything to do with evolution or the history of life on earth as far as I can remember. The closest was memorizing geological periods or ages and learning about Dinosears and extinctions but I swear, evolution was never even brought up.

[photon]

I was in Saskatchewan for the relevant grades and I remember learning about it somewhat, but not very much.

I wonder if that's to avoid any conflict with parents.

Evolution is the foundation of modern biology and one of the most important scientific discoveries ever.. The idea of natural selection is very powerful and has applications far beyond biology, in physics and computer science and engineering..

To not teach it is like not teaching levers.

[Finny61]

As a religious person I agree with the consensus on the board, it really is off the map. Its a similar argument to public school vs home school education. I would think if a family wants control over what is taught they just need to home school or put up with fundamental teachings of the public system. I agree that how are you to teach science or geography without applying scientific principle it's ######ed. Religion for most is supplementary but unfortunately for some it runs their life way too much.

[photon]

Even home schooled they'd still have to learn the stuff.

It just boggles the mind. Even most who have religion run their entire lives, this kind of thing still wouldn't be a problem. They understand that what their kid gets at school is just one part of things, what they teach them at home is another. Most of even the most devout don't have a problem with evolution, geology, paleontology, physics, etc...

But the vocal minority somehow drives the bus to the detriment of all.

I expect to hear this stuff from Texas or Florida or Kansas, but here makes me really disappointed.

[mikey_the_redneck]

For those trashing the conservatives or whatever. This is hardly a liberal or conservative issue.
It is just the way society works nowadays. Someone bitches and complains about something, then a rule or law is created to appease them. Nobody has any balls these days, and the word no does not exist.

[troutman]

Diplomas should not be granted to people that have not studied evolution. It is fundamental.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

For those trashing the conservatives or whatever. This is hardly a liberal or conservative issue.
It is just the way society works nowadays. Someone bitches and complains about something, then a rule or law is created to appease them. Nobody has any balls these days, and the word no does not exist.

I disagree. This is a specific law being brought forward by the Conservative government. It is definitely a conservative issue. Not one of the parties to the left of the Conservatives would introduce this bill.

[Thor]

Story up on Richard Dawkin's website now:

http://richarddawkins.net/article,38...a-law,CBC-News