Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

elleng

(135,687 posts)
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 02:10 PM Jun 2014

Teaching creationism as science now banned in all UK public schools.

In what's being heralded as a secular triumph, the UK government has banned the teaching of creationism as science in all existing and future academies and free schools.

The new clauses, which arrived with very little fanfare last week, state that the...

...requirement for every academy and free school to provide a broad and balanced curriculum in any case prevents the teaching of creationism as evidence based theory in any academy or free school.
So, if an academy or free school teaches creationism as scientifically valid, it's breaking the funding agreement to provide a "broad and balanced curriculum."

In the UK, state-funded academies are basically equivalent to charter schools in the United States, and are primarily comprised of high schools. Free schools, which were introduced in 2010, are non-profit making, independent, state-funded schools which are not controlled by a local authority, but are subject to the School Admissions Code. Free schools make it possible for parents, teachers, charities, and business to set up their own schools.

http://io9.com/teaching-creationism-as-science-now-banned-in-all-uk-pu-1592549647/+georgedvorsky

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Teaching creationism as science now banned in all UK public schools. (Original Post) elleng Jun 2014 OP
This is the excerpt that I like... Blanks Jun 2014 #1
But here it's full game. Phlem Jun 2014 #2
I wasn't aware it was taught here in the UK anyway. dipsydoodle Jun 2014 #3
I hear they also cannot teach that the moon is made of green cheese. nt ellenrr Jun 2014 #4

Blanks

(4,835 posts)
1. This is the excerpt that I like...
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 03:14 PM
Jun 2014
...not prevent discussion of beliefs about the origins of the Earth and living things, such as creationism, in Religious Education, as long as it is not presented as a valid alternative to established scientific theory.


You can 'discuss' intelligent design, just don't try to pass it off as scientific fact.

Good article.
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Education»Teaching creationism as s...