Louisiana Science Education Act

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The Louisiana Science Education Act, Act 473 (SB733) of 2008[1] is a controversial anti-evolution[2] law passed by the Louisiana Legislature on June 11, 2008 and signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal on June 25.[3] The act allows public school teachers to use supplemental materials in the science classroom which are critical of scientific theories such as evolution and global warming and to promote creationism as science.[4] Louisiana was the first state to have passed a law of this type.[2]

Proponents of the law claim that it is meant to promote critical thinking and improve education.[5] State Senator Ben Nevers said the law is intended to allow educators to create an environment that "(promotes) critical thinking skills, logical analysis, and open and objective discussions of scientific theories such as evolution, the origins of life, global warming, and human cloning."[6][7]

SB733 opens a backdoor to teaching creationism in public schools, which is illegal under federal law.[8] Alan Leshner, the executive publisher of Science, condemned the bill as the "latest effort to insert religious, unscientific views into science classrooms."[9] Leshner stated the bill would, "unleash an assault against scientific integrity, leaving students confused about science and unprepared to excel in a modern workforce."[10]

In 2010, high school student Zack Kopplin launched a high-profile campaign sponsored by Louisiana State Senator Karen Carter Peterson to repeal the law. Kopplin's campaign has been endorsed by 78 Nobel laureates, the New Orleans City Council, and more than a dozen scientific and educational associations.[11] Bills to repeal the LSEA have failed to advance past the Senate Education committee five years in a row from 2011 through 2015.

  1. ^ Senator Ben Nevers. "SB733". Louisiana Legislature. Archived from the original on 2013-09-22. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  2. ^ a b Timmer, John (27 June 2008). "Louisiana passes first antievolution "academic freedom" law". ArsTechnica. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  3. ^ Winkler-Schimt, David (21 November 2019). "Monkey Business: The Louisiana Science Education Act Why would scientists and educators oppose a law that ostensibly promotes critical thinking and analysis?". Best of New Orleans. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  4. ^ Weiss, Joanna (2013-01-29). "Bobby Jindal and the problem of the 'stupid party.'". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
  5. ^ "Protest rally pushes Louisiana science law repeal". The Associated Press. 28 April 2011.
  6. ^ Schon, Sylvia (2008-04-06). "Bill allows teaching creationism as science". Hammondstar.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  7. ^ Senator Ben Nevers. "Digest for SB733". Louisiana Legislature. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  8. ^ Basilan, Marvie (2015). "In Louisiana, students read the Book of Genesis in their science classes." Christian Today June 8, 2015.
  9. ^ Ginger Pinholster. "AAAS Writes Louisiana's Speaker of the House, Reiterating Opposition to Anti-Science Education Efforts". Aaas.org. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  10. ^ Leshner, Alan (28 May 2008). "'Academic freedom' bill dangerous distraction". Shreveport Times.
  11. ^ "Endorsements and Letters | Repealing the Louisiana Science Education Act". Repealcreationism.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2012-08-04.