ONTGOMERY, Ala., Nov. 9 — Alabama is maintaining its distinction as the only state where biology textbooks include a sticker warning students that evolution is a "controversial theory" that they should question.
The State Board of Education voted without dissent on Thursday to place the disclaimer on the front of 40,000 new biology textbooks to be used in public schools.
After calling evolution a controversial theory, the statement says, "Instructional material associated with controversy should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered." The board included the same statement in guidelines for teachers.
The state first put stickers on biology textbooks in 1996, but those books are being replaced with new editions next year. The new books will be used for the next six years.
The decision was supported by the Christian Coalition and the Eagle Forum, groups that seek more religious activity in public schools.
Joan Kendall, state education chairman for Eagle Forum, said the sticker was needed because textbooks contained outdated and disputed information about evolution.
File Date: 011.10.01