Dover dilemma

Science | ACLU sides with censorship in a case challenging school board policy to promote intelligent design | Mark Bergin

In 1925, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) came to the defense of Dayton, Tenn., teacher John Scopes, calling prohibitions on the teaching of evolution unconstitutional. On Sept. 26, ACLU lawyers lined up on the opposite side of free speech, arguing against the Dover, Pa., school board in a lawsuit set to outlaw classroom discussion of intelligent design (ID).

Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District centers on a curriculum modification that requires ninth-grade biology teachers to name ID as an alternate theory of origins prior to teaching evolution. Teachers must also refer students to an ID textbook available in the school library.

Backed by the ACLU, eight families from the district have sued to change that policy. A ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is expected in late October or early November—though any decision will likely be appealed.

Find out how to get instant access to this article and one month of WORLD for only $5.00! If you are already a subscriber, please log in below.

The complete article is ~463 words long

Current Subscribers

Magazine
Subscriber

Online Only
Subscriber

>> Click here to see other purchase options for this article

New Subscribers

Secure form

Receive instant access to this article and the WORLDMag.com Archives
Plus, enjoy 2 issues of WORLD Magazine for only $5.00*

Want a different type of subscription? Click here for Online-Only Subscription options. Or here for Print Subscription options (which include online subscription access).

Payment Information

Name	State	Card Type

Address	Zip	Card Number

City	Email	Expiration Date
		/
	Phone Number

Offer Terms

Subscribers Advantage Automatic Renewal Program You authorize WORLD Magazine to charge your credit/debit card at the price listed above and in time to renew your subscription to WORLD Magazine, without interruption, before the start of the first 6-month term (for $24.95) and then thereafter at 6-month terms at the regular rate then in effect unless you tell us to stop. You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all unmailed issues. If your credit/debit card cannot be charged, we will bill you directly instead.

*Offer good in the U.S. only for new subscribers.
I agree to the terms above

Outside the US, click here.
Renewing subscribers, click here.
Gift subscriptions, click here.

Copyright © 2010 WORLD Magazine
Articles may not be reproduced without permission
October 15, 2005, Vol. 20, No. 40

MORE PREVIOUS ISSUES

Rita: After the storms Oct. 8, 2005	Rita: Strike 2 Oct. 1, 2005	New Orleans: Starting over Sep. 24, 2005
Katrina: Week 2 Sep. 17, 2005	Katrina: Unnatural disaster Sep. 10, 2005	Salting Hollywood Sep. 3, 2005