/ Modified may 23, 2018 9:14 a.m.

Science Standards Draft Changes Remove, Alter Evolution References

Arizona schools Superintendent Diane Douglas says evolution is an ongoing debate.

Diane Douglas 360 Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas interviewed by Arizona 360 in March 2018.
AZPM

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Education's draft changes to school science standards include instances where uses and references of evolution have been removed or altered.

The department has replaced some uses of evolution with words like "biological diversity" or added qualifiers in the standards for public school districts and charter schools.

According to the department, the standards focus on core science and engineering ideas that teachers then use to form curriculum.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas told KTVK-TV that evolution is an ongoing debate and "there is science to back up parts of it but not all of it."

The public can comment on the draft science standards until May 28. The standards are expected to be presented to the state Board of Education for consideration later this year.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona