Montana's HB 183 would, if it becomes law, pose a grave threat to students and science education throughout Big Sky country. The law singles out evolution as a supposedly "controversial" topic, overrides the authority of local districts to establish clear curriculum, undercuts teachers' ability to maintain classroom discipline, and rewrites the rules for science classes, all with the goal of opening the door to creationist lessons. This would open teachers and school districts to lawsuits, and undermine the quality of the education the students receive. It also violates the state constitution, stripping the Board of Public Education's constitutionally guaranteed powers to supervise schools and school boards.

Similar bills have been proposed and rejected in many states. Teachers, scientists, parents, and students have rallied against them, demanding accurate, honest, up-to-date science education. Rather than creationist-manufactured controversy, they want science lessons to match the content of textbooks, state science standards, and the best guidance of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Science Teachers Association, and other leading science and education organizations.

Montana's legislature held its first hearing on the anti-evolution HB 183 on January 25. In the video at left, you can meet the dozens of Montanans who spoke against the bill, and see that no one but the bill's sponsor would speak in its favor.

The fight isn't over. Concerned Montanans must make their voices heard to ensure that, when legislators vote in executive session, they do not open science classroom doors to religious indoctrination, nonscience, or bad science.

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