SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The South Dakota Senate Committee on Education today killed a bill sponsors say was intended to protect the teaching of certain scientific information.
Dr. Wade Pogany says state and federal courts have ruled that teachers can’t abandon the curriculum for their own beliefs.
Pogany says courts have ruled that the First Amendment does not entitle primary and secondary teachers, when conducting education of a captive audience, to cover topics or advocate view points that depart from the curriculum adopted by the school system.
Bill proponent Teri Jorgenson with Concerned Women for America says the measure doesn’t give teachers carte blanche.
Jorgenson says the U.S. Supreme Court has held creationism to be a religious viewpoint and would not be protected under this bill. She says there was a concern that the bill would sanction the teaching of intelligent design, which she says is not true.
The bill failed four to three. It was sent to the 41st day of the 38 day session.
Similar bills have been defeated in past session.