May 22, 2013

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Reporter: AP posted by Carissa Fox

Kansas Headed For Another Debate Over Evolution

This undated artist's rendering provided by Philip Renne shows a Ventastega. Scientists have found the fossil skull of the most primitive four-legged critter in Earth's history, a key point in the evolution from fish to animals that eventually walked on on land. (AP Photo/Philip Renne)

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Kansas is headed toward another debate over how evolution is taught in its public schools.

State Board of Education member Ken Willard, a Hutchinson Republican, said Wednesday that he's troubled by common science standards being drafted by Kansas and other states. Those standards describe evolution as a well-established core scientific concept.

The board is scheduled to receive an update about the work on the science standards at its meeting next week. Education Commissioner Diane DeBacker said the board could see a final draft by the end of the year.

In the past, Willard has supported science standards that have incorporated material questioning evolution. The board's latest, evolution-friendly standards were adopted in 2007 and supplanted the standards Willard supported.

State law requires the science standards to be reviewed by 2014.


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