District Goes Ahead with Creationism Curriculum Proposal

Fifty years ago, students, parents and religious groups were up in arms when Darwin’s theory of evolution was added to the curriculum for public schools. Today, students, parents and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are up in arms over the Springboro Board of Education’s proposed plan to teach creationism. Despite protests, the Board decided to consider a proposal to teach creationism in Springboro, Ohio, schools.

The plan to teach creationism is part of a larger curriculum covering controversial issues. The proposal was first introduced in May 2013,and quickly earned support from Republican groups and Tea Party members, though it was not supported by the ACLU and members of the community.

Those opposed to adding creationism to the curriculum include both former students and current teachers. In a video for a local news station, one former student, Jacob Crosen, called creationism subjective and argued that teachers are not prepared to present it objectively. Representatives from the ACLU agree, saying that the proposal promotes one religion and “threatens the religious freedom of everyone.” By labeling creationism as a controversial issue and addressing other viewpoints, some district representatives deny that the goal of the curriculum is to promote one religion over another.

This is not the first time the Springboro Community City Schools has considered adding creationism to its curriculum. In fact, two years ago the ACLU opposed a similar proposal and the proposal itself did not gain enough public support to become a regular part of Springboro’s curriculum. This time the proposal was split into three parts. The first part of the proposal covers the addition of creationism to the general curriculum, the second part restricts when students can express their religious beliefs, and the third part incorporates teachings from multiple religions into a Constitution Day event.

The Springboro Board of Education opened up discussion on all parts of the proposal and multiple teachers, parents and community members came out to criticize the plan. Many who spoke out against the curriculum were less upset by what it covered and more upset by the issues left unhandled as the board took time to discuss this proposal. For example, teacher contract negotiations were put off while the board opened the floor for discussion on creationism.

A vote on the proposal is expected and members of the Tea Party hope it passes. While opponents of the plan say it stifles students’ ability to think critically, Tea Party members say the opposite, arguing that the controversial issues curriculum teaches students to question their sources and helps them understand there are two sides to every issue, not only religion, but also global warming and evolution.

The issue of bringing religion into schools in Ohio is nothing new for the ACLU either. In February 2013, the ACLU fought to remove a picture of Jesus hanging in a school in Jackson, Ohio. Despite the fact that the picture had been hanging in the school for more than 60 years, it was eventually removed. In 1999 and 2008, cases were also seen in an attempt to require four Ohio schools to remove copies of the Ten Commandments found outside of their schools.

In the cases above and in the case of the 2011 proposal to include creationism in the Springboro Community City Schools curriculum, the ACLU won, arguing that parents, not schools, should provide children with a spiritual education. With many teachers, parents and students opposed to the current proposal, it is likely the ACLU will win again. However, there is no telling how board members will vote this time around or, if it is voted down, when the proposal will show up on the Springboro Board of Education’s agenda again.

Sign up for Teach.com’s monthly newsletter to receive the latest in education news and information about becoming a teacher, including certification, teaching programs and more!