COLUMBUS - Opponents of the state school board's new lesson plans on evolution expect to lobby heavily for changes before a final board vote.
The state school board voted 13-4 on Tuesday in favor of lesson plans that some scientists say continue to contain inaccurate information about evolution. Proponents say the plans are some of the country's most rigorous in favor of evolution.
The state Board of Education's preliminary vote will be followed by a final vote next month. But changes could be made up to July 1.
The Ohio Academy of Sciences will contact Gov. Bob Taft, lawmakers and board members so they understand the significance of what they did
said Lynn Elfner, the academy's chief executive.
Bruce Alberts, president of the National Academy of Sciences, wrote board president Jennifer Sheets on Monday to express concerns that parts of the alternative concept of intelligent design were being incorporated into the plans.
Intelligent design is the idea that life is so complex that it was designed by a nonspecified power.
Districts could begin developing lessons from the plans this summer and begin teaching from the material this fall, said Bob Bowers, associate superintendent for curriculum and assessment for the Department of Education.
The plans are models that educators can follow, not mandates. But they contain basic information about evolution on which students will be tested next spring.
Ohio is developing lesson plans based on new standards for what students should know about a variety of core subjects. New achievement tests will be based on the standards.
Tuesday's board vote followed an unsuccessful attempt by some members to delay the plans and send them back to a board committee for more work.
Michael Cochran, an elected board member from suburban Columbus who voted for the plans, said nothing would be gained by additional study.
People who see weaknesses in the lesson plan will still see weaknesses said Cochran, co-chairman of the board's standards' committees. People who see strengths the strengths will still be there.
James Turner, a Taft appointee from Cincinnati, said the plans include some of the nation's best science standards.
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