R010-9900

10				A RESOLUTION CONCERNING

20		STANDARDIZED EVOLUTION TESTING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS



30	WHEREAS:	Most Maryland county and public schools include the teaching of 

40			evolution as part of the science curriculum; and,



50	WHEREAS:	Evolution is one of many unproven theories on the origins of   

60			human life; and,



70	WHEREAS:  	Evolution is a theory that can and often does contradict the 	          

80			religious views of students from many different religious faiths and 

90			presents a direct challenge to the teachings of parents and 	        

100			churches; and,



110	WHEREAS: 	Other equally acceptable theories such as Creationism are excluded 

120			due to reliance upon the existence of a deity; and,



130	WHEREAS:	Any theories on the origins of life may require students to make 

140			judgments about the existence or non-existence of a deity and   

150			could, therefore, have a direct intrusion into religious matters; and,			

160  	WHEREAS: 	It is the role of parents and not the State to instruct students        

170			concerning questions of such a fundamentally personal nature as 

180			the origins of human life or any other matters of a religious nature; 

190			and,



200	WHEREAS:	Questions on the theory of evolution are included in statewide     

210			examinations; and,



220	WHEREAS:  	Including questions concerning evolution in statewide testing 		

230			would require all county school boards to teach evolution in their 

240			classrooms in order to prepare students for the tests; and,



250	WHEREAS:	While there may be some merits in teaching evolution and many   

260			school boards accept it, making it required knowledge for testing 

270			purposes intrudes upon the rights of local county school boards,   

280			educators, parents, and students to choose whether or not they as a 

290			group wish to learn or teach evolution; and,



300	THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:  That the Maryland Student Legislature       

310			strongly urges the removal of any questions concerning evolution 

320			or the origins of human life from any existing state-wide testing or 

330			future state-wide tests; and,



340	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:  That the Maryland Student Legislature strongly 

350			urges the Maryland Board of Education to remove any permanent 

360			state-wide curriculum requirements that would mandate the 	        

370			teaching of evolution in public schools.



380	MANDATES:	Governor Parris Glendening

390			The Honorable Delegate Casper Taylor

400			The Honorable Senator Thomas "Mike" Miller

410			U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley

420			State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick	





Ben Decker

Western Maryland College

Box 331

2 College Hill

Westminster, MD  21157

410-751-8248

bendex7@hotmail.com