Board to Revisit Science Policy

By Eric Maddy
The Score

The Rio Rancho Public Schools’ policy on science education, especially as it relates to the discussion of evolution in the classroom, is back in front of the school board.

The policy is scheduled for a first reading at the board’s meeting Monday night’s meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the district office, 500 Laser Road.

Board president Lisa Cour confirmed Sunday that two board members, Divyesh Patel and Margaret Terry, request the policy be placed on the agenda. Board policy requires either two members or the board president request something be placed on the agenda before it is brought up for consideration.

The five-paragraph policy, which was first adopted Aug. 22, 2005 and according to the district’s web site was revised April 10, 2006, allows for discussion of alternatives to evolution to be discussed in the classroom.
Here is the policy as it currently reads:

“The Rio Rancho Board of Education recognizes that scientific theories, such as theories regarding biological and cosmological origins, may be used to support or to challenge individual religious and philosophical beliefs. Consequently, the teaching of science in public school science classrooms may be of great interest and concern to students and their parents.

“The Board also acknowledges the conditional trust parents place in public education, as well as the requirements of the Constitution and New Mexico education law, that the classroom not be used to indoctrinate students into any religious or philosophical belief system.

“Because of these concerns, this policy recognizes that the Rio Rancho Public Schools should teach an objective science education, without religious or philosophical bias, that upholds the highest standards of empirical science.

“Therefore, science teachers in Rio Rancho Public Schools will align their instruction with the District’s approved curricula and fully comply with the requirements of the New Mexico 2003 revised Science Content Standards, Benchmarks, and Performance Standards. Age-appropriate emphasis will be given to Strand I, Science Thinking and Practice; Strand II, The Content of Science; and Strand III, Science and Society.

“Students shall understand that reasonable people may disagree about some issues that are of interest to both science and religion (e.g., the origin of life on Earth, the cause of the Big Bang, the future of Earth).”

When the policy was first discussed, Cour questioned why it was needed because she believed state standards already allowed students to discuss other theories besides evolution.

While agreeing that characterization was a “fair assessment” of her position, Cour also said she is willing to listen to more discussion on the issue.

“I try to never go into a meeting with my mind totally made up,” she said. “I am always open to discussion with people who have other viewpoints.”

The board will also consider a proposal from the Rio Rancho High student government to allow some students to go off campus for lunch.