The Daily Report Card: Creationist Legislation, School Vouchers, And The National Anthem

In The Classroom Today

Creationist legislation in Indiana | NCSE Senate Bill 89, prefiled in the Indiana Senate and referred to the Committee on Education and Career Development, would, if enacted, amend the Indiana Code to provide that “[t]he governing body of a school corporation may require the teaching of various theories concerning the origin of life, including creation science, within the school corporation.” The sponsor of the bill is Dennis Kruse (R-District 14), who chairs the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development. In 1999, while serving in the Indiana House of Representatives, Kruse pledged to introduce a law to remove evolution from the state’s science standards, according to the South Bend Tribune (August 27, 1999). Instead, however, he introduced bills with the same wording as Senate Bill 89, House Bill 1356 in 2000 and House Bill 1323 in 2001. Both died in committee. (ncse.com)

Voucher program topped education stories in 2011 » Evansville Courier & Press The passage of historic and controversial reforms made 2011 a landmark year for education in Indiana. Bitter partisan fights in the General Assembly ended with Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels signing voucher legislation which has been called the nation’s largest. The bill was opposed by teachers’ unions, other public school advocates and most Democratic lawmakers. Advocates predict the program’s popularity will grow, if it survives a challenge in Marion Superior Court. They say the program is providing an unprecedented level of school choice, while opponents worry about harm to the quality of public schools. (courierpress.com)

Legislator proposes setting state standards for national anthem performances at schools – chicagotribune.com INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana legislator is proposing that the state set standards for singing and playing the national anthem at public schools and universities. The bill filed by Republican state Sen. Vaneta Becker of Evansville calls for the state education department to establish rules on acceptable performances. Becker tells The Indianapolis Star (https://indy.st/tW8KSW ) that she started working on the proposal after a constituent said she thought a school program in which the words of “The Star-Spangled Banner” were changed was disrespectful. (chicagotribune.com)