Alabama Academy of Science Position Statement on HB 133

The Executive Committee and Trustees of the Alabama Academy of Science hereby record their opposition to the stated motivation for HB 133 as a way of “balancing” the required instruction in evolution with an off-campus elective offering with creation “science” as its core. This, in our opinion, would undermine the science instruction that students receive on campus and which is presently guided by the Alabama Course of Study in Science. Furthermore, the Executive Committee and Trustees of the Alabama Academy of Science believe that the introduction of classroom subject content through the political process not only violates the academic freedom of the subject specialists to determine relevant and scientifically sound concepts, but also represents an inappropriate and potentially dangerous precedent for American public education. Therefore, we strongly urge members of the Alabama House of Representatives to vote against HB 133.

March 2012