OBJECTIVE ORIGINS SCIENCE POLICY(1)
It is the intent of this Board that to enhance the effectiveness of science education and to promote academic freedom and the neutrality of state government with respect to teachings that touch religious and nonreligious beliefs, it is necessary and desirable that science which seeks to explain the origins of life and its diversity (origins science), be conducted and taught objectively and without religious, naturalistic, or philosophic bias or assumption. To further this intent, the instructional program provided by schools within this district shall do all of the following:
(A) Encourage the presentation of scientific evidence regarding the origins of life and its diversity objectively and without religious, naturalistic, or philosophic bias or assumption;
(B) Require that whenever explanations regarding the origins of life and its diversity are presented, appropriate explanation and disclosure shall be provided regarding the historical nature of origins science and the use of any material assumption which may have provided a basis for the explanation being presented;
(C) Encourage the development of curriculum that will help students think critically about the claims of evolutionary theory, understand the full range of scientific views that exist regarding the origins of life and its diversity, and understand why origins science may generate controversy.
__________
1. The policy is nearly identical to the provisions of HB 481, a proposal pending in the Ohio House of Representatives as of July 27, 2002.