State Evolution Changes to Have Little Effect on Walton’s Current Curriculum

By Sean Boone, Walton Sun, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.

Mar. 8–When students report to class in August, they most likely will not see a change to the way they are currently taught the subject of science.

According to Walton School Board Chairman Darrell Barnhill, there are no plans for changes to the way evolution is currently taught in the science curriculum.

“Right now I see no change from previous years,” he said.

Last month, the Florida Board of Education passed a controversial measure 4-3 to teach evolution more precisely and in further depth in state classrooms. The new standard also calls for evolution to be referenced as a theory.

Walton Coordinator of School Improvement and Accountability David Jeselnik said he’s not aware of any changes, but is happy to see the state take steps to improve the science curriculum.

“I’m not really aware of anything new,” he said. “We are obligated, of course, to follow the Sunshine State Standards.

“Personally, as a former science teacher, I am happy we’re using the more accurate terminology. As a scientifi c theory, I don’t think it’s much of an issue.”

District Four School Board member Mark Davis agrees.

“It (evolution) has been taught as far back as my middle school years in the 70s,” he said. “The changes are that it will be explored more thoroughly and the concepts taught more rigorously. Frankly, the whole state’s science curriculum badly needed updating. We were lagging behind, not only in biology, but other disciplines.”

In 2005, the National Center for Education Statistics found that Florida eighth-grade students scored six points below the national average in science testing. A study done last year by the Morgan Quitno, a ranking publication, ranked Florida as the 29th smartest state with a score of -2.9 points.

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