Reference no: EM13185070

I want to look at the evolution vs. Intelligent Design (ID) debate.

As some of you may remember, back in 2005, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania heard a case relating to the teaching of Intelligent Design in high school.

Here's the background:

On October 18, 2004, the Dover (Pennsylvania) Area School Board of Directors passed by a 6-3 vote the following resolution:

"Students will be made aware of gaps/problems in Darwin's theory and of other theories of evolution including, but not limited to, intelligent design."

On November 19, 2004, the Dover Area School District announced by press release that, starting in January 2005, teachers would be required to read the following statement to students in the ninth grade biology class at Dover High School:

"The Pennsylvania Academic Standards require students to learn about Darwin's Theory of Evolution and eventually to take a standardized test of which evolution is a part. Because Darwin's Theory is a theory, it continues to be tested as new evidence is discovered. The Theory is not a fact. Gaps in the Theory exist for which there is no evidence. A theory is defined as a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations. Intelligent Design is an explanation of the origin of life that differs from Darwin's view. The reference book, Of Pandas and People, is available for students who might be interested in gaining an understanding of what Intelligent Design actually involves. With respect to any theory, students are encouraged to keep an open mind. The school leaves the discussion of the Origins of Life to individual students and their families. As a Standards-driven district, class instruction focuses upon preparing students to achieve proficiency on Standards-based assessments."

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A group of local parents took the Dover School Board of Directors to court. In December, 2005, the United States District Court for the Middle District Of Pennsylvania found against the Dover School Board of Directors, judging it unconstitutional to include a statement such as theirs as a mandatory part of the curriculum for high school science classes, and also finding the teaching of Intelligent Design in high school science classes to be unconstitutional.

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So... what do you think of the court's decision?