Megan


 * Missouri House Bill No. 2554 and Failed Missouri House Bills No.911, 1722,1266**

__House Bill No. 2554-Teacher Academic Freedom__ //Sponsor:// Robert Wayne Cooper (Republican) //Introduced:// April 1, 2008 //Last Action:// April 24, 2008 Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education [1] //Summary:// This bill would amend a current state policy, in an attempt to grant teachers more freedom in the teaching of science. "Toward this end, teachers shall be permitted to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of theories of biological and chemical evolution." The proposed goal of the bill is to create in schools an environment of questioning, and further learning about up and coming developments as well as learn to deal with differences and issues which arise when addressing controversial issues[1] [4].

__Failed House Bills No. 911, 1722,1266__ //Sponsor:// Robert Wayne Cooper (Republican) //Co-Sponsors:// Annie Reinhart(R), Cynthia Davis(R), Brian Nieves(R), Susan Phillips(R), Edgar Emery(R), and Steve Hunter(R) //Introduced:// January 7, 2004 (911) April 7, 2004 (1722) January 9, 2006 (1266) [2] //Summary:// (911 Missouri Standard Science Act) This act, defines science in the context of what can be taught in schools. The definition includes intelligent design to be taught as scientific theory. It calls for equal time in the teaching old evolution and intelligent design. Bills 1722 Standard Science Instruction and 1266 Missouri Science Education Act mandated "the equal treatment of science instruction regarding evolution and intelligent design"[6] with failure to do so resulting in a termination of contract. HB 1266 uses same principal without using the words intelligent design [3] [5].

__Future of Bill 2554__ House Bill 2554 is one of at least three attempts by Robert Wayne Cooper to have intelligent design or a similarly structured concept brought up in the Missouri House of Representatives. The majority of his sponsored bills include those pertaining to healthcare; however, many can be found relating to religion, abortion positions, and other faith fueled issues. Cooper has even been quoted saying such statements as "If we're just a piece of matter in a meaningless universe, you're going to treat yourself different than if you're a designed product." Like many of the other intelligent design bills, his proposed legislation hangs on the definition of a scientific theory [2].

However, this legislation has once again raised the issue of teaching alternate scientific ideas in the classroom to the Missouri House of Representatives. Additionally, HB 2554 does not mandate or demand certain ideas be addressed, just that teachers have the freedom to discuss alternatives to help foster an environment of higher learning and questioning in the schools [1] [4].

[1] Cooper, Robert Wayne. “HB 2554 -- Teacher Academic Freedom.” __Missouri House of Representatives__. 24 Apr. 2008. 25 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.house.mo.gov/‌billtracking/‌bills081/‌bills/‌hb2554.htm>.] [2] - - -. “Summary of the Introduced Bills.” __Missouri House of Representatives__. 23 Sept. 2004. 25 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills081/member/mem155.htm>.] [3]Levy, Gayle. “Evolution Debate in Missouri (1-04-05).” __American Geological Institute__. 4 Jan. 2005. 25 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.agiweb.org/‌gap/‌evolution/‌MO_cont.html>.] [4] “A New Antievolution Bill in Missouri.” __National Center for Science Educaiton__. 4 Apr. 2008. 25 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.ncseweb.org/‌resources/‌news/‌2008/‌MO/‌970_a_new_antievolution_bill_in_mi_4_4_2008.asp>.] [5] Robinson, B. A. “INTELLIGENT DESIGN (ID):PENDING ID BILLS IN STATE LEGISLATURES AND COURT CHALLENGES.” __Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance__. 2 Aug. 2005. 25 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.religioustolerance.org/‌ev_id5.htm]>. [6]Carroll, Robert Todd. "Intelligent Design."__The Skeptic's Dictionary__. 24 Apr. 2008. 10 Apr. 2008. <[|http://www.skepdic.com/intelligentdesign.html>.]