April 30, 2008, Introduced by Reps. Moolenaar, Stahl, Sheen, Walker, Agema, Emmons, Pearce, Casperson and Sheltrown and referred to the Committee on Education.
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled
"The revised school code,"
(MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding section 1292.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1292. (1) The legislature understands that an important
purpose of science education is to inform students about scientific
evidence and to help students develop critical thinking skills they
need in order to become intelligent, productive, and scientifically
informed citizens. The legislature further understands that the
teaching of some scientific subjects, such as biological evolution,
the chemical origins of life, human impact of climate change, and
human cloning, can cause controversy and that some teachers may be
unsure of the expectations concerning how they should present
information on such subjects. This section is intended to provide
clarification in these matters.
(2) The state board, the board of a school district or
intermediate school district, the board of directors of a public
school academy, a local school superintendent, a school principal,
and any other public school official or administrator shall
endeavor to create an environment within public elementary and
secondary schools that encourages pupils to explore scientific
questions, learn about scientific evidence, develop critical
thinking skills, and respond appropriately and respectfully to
differences of opinion about controversial issues. These
educational authorities also shall endeavor to assist teachers to
find more effective ways to present the science curriculum in
instances where that curriculum addresses scientific controversies.
Toward this end, these educational authorities shall allow teachers
to help pupils understand, analyze, critique, and review in an
objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses
of existing scientific theories pertinent to the course being
taught.
(3) The state board, the board of a school district or
intermediate school district, the board of directors of a public
school academy, a local school superintendent, a school principal,
or any other public school official or administrator shall not
prohibit any teacher in a public school in this state from helping
a pupil to understand, analyze, critique, and review in an
objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses
of existing scientific theories pertinent to the course being
taught.
(4) This section only protects the teaching of scientific
information, and this section shall not be construed to promote any
religious or nonreligious doctrine, promote discrimination for or
against a particular set of religious beliefs or nonbeliefs, or
promote discrimination for or against religion or nonreligion.
(5) Not later than the start of the 2008-2009 school year, the
department shall notify the superintendent or other chief
administrative official of each school district, intermediate
school district, public school academy, or other public school
about the provisions of this section. Each of these school
officials shall then disseminate to all employees within his or her
school or school system a copy of this section.
(6) This section shall be known as the "academic freedom law".