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VOL. 36 | NO. 12 | Friday, March 23, 2012
State Legislature
Evolution bill headed to governor
NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal that would protect teachers who allow students to criticize scientific theories like evolution is headed to the governor for his consideration.
The House moved the measure on after voting 72-23 on Monday evening to approve minor changes by the Senate, which approved the legislation 24-8 last week.
The measure says neither the Tennessee Board of Education nor local education officials will prohibit public school teachers from "helping students understand, analyze, critique and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories."
Critics believe the legislation would unfairly target evolution and possibly open the door for some religious teachings.