May (Web-only) 2002

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Education reform may mean more teaching of intelligent design theory
U.S. Reps. John A. Boehner and Steve Chabot, both Republicans from Ohio, have told the Ohio Board of Education that the recently passed education reform legislation may solve the board's debate over teaching evolution and competing theories like intelligent design. The congressmen quote from conference report language that says, "Where topics are taught that may generate controversy (such as biological evolution), the curriculum should help students to understand the full range of scientific views that exist."

"Many officials from science and education groups, most of whom back teaching only evolution, call the language part of a wider campaign to force intelligent-design theory into the nation's science classrooms," reports The Washington Post. "They fear that the congressional language will be used to challenge the teaching of evolution across the country."

The conference report isn't actual law, but the Post notes that "it has in the past been used as the basis for regulations that guide how laws are enforced."

For now, however, it's unclear whether the congressmen's letter will lead to more discussions of intelligent design in the classrooms, "teaching the controversy" about evolutionary theory without getting into intelligent design, or whether it will actually have any effect at all.

U.S. offers $5 million reward for Burnhams' kidnappers The U.S. Embassy in Manila yesterday announced rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of the Abu Sayyaf terrorists holding American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham. "No one hide[s] from everyone," Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone said. "We hope that this Rewards for Justice program, now active in the Philippines, ...