State House panel approves Academic Freedom Act

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A state House committee Monday joined the growing debate over the teaching of evolution when they gave their blessing to the Academic Freedom Act. <br/><br/>The measure would give

Monday, February 13th 2006, 11:37 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A state House committee Monday joined the growing debate over the teaching of evolution when they gave their blessing to the Academic Freedom Act.

The measure would give public school teachers the freedom to present instruction to their students on the full range of scientific views of how life began. But it stops short of calling for the teaching of ``intelligent design.''

Intelligent design is an alternative to the theory of evolution. It teaches that the universe is so complex that it must have been created by a higher power.

Representative Sally Kern of Oklahoma City says the theory of evolution is taught as if it were fact when it's only a theory. She says the bill's designed to encourage critical thinking about all sides of an issue.