School leader resigns over science memo

November 30, 2007

The head of the Texas Education Agency's science curriculum alleges she was forced to resign because of a memo about a talk on intelligent design.

Chris Comer told The Austin American-Statesman she resigned after being accused of creating the appearance of bias against teaching intelligent design. Documents obtained by the newspaper show that agency officials recommended firing Comer for repeated acts of misconduct and insubordination.

The newspaper said Comer was placed on administrative leave after she forwarded an e-mail last month announcing a presentation being given by Barbara Forrest, author of a book that says creationist politics are behind the movement to get intelligent design theory taught in public schools.

A memo from agency officials said Comer's e-mail implies the agency "endorses the speaker's position on a subject on which the agency must remain neutral."

The State Board of Education is set to begin reviewing the science portion of the statewide curriculum that will be used to determine what should be taught in Texas classrooms and what textbooks are bought.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International


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  • LearmSceince - Nov 30, 2007
    • Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
    Educators are supposed to educate.
    This gives the impression that Agency is fearful of real information being disseminated,the tactics of the fundamentalists.
    Only thing is, if every rational thinker and educated person resigns, who will be running the Agency?
    The Kitzmiller trial resolved in federal court that creationist politics [I]are[/I] behind the ID movement. Remaining neutral would be the same as considering whether the South really won the Civil War.

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