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SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 9

48

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Steve Komadina

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ENSURE THAT

TEACHERS HAVE THE RIGHT AND FREEDOM TO TEACH BIOLOGICAL ORIGINS

OBJECTIVELY.

WHEREAS, teaching some aspects of evolutionary theory

causes controversy; and

WHEREAS, scientific theories of biological origins have

implications that can challenge or support the personal

religious or philosophical beliefs of students and their

parents; and

WHEREAS, most parents favor allowing teachers to discuss

both the strengths and weaknesses of evolutionary theory when

biological origins are taught; and

WHEREAS, many credentialed scientists challenge certain

aspects of evolutionary theory; and

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WHEREAS, existing state law does not expressly protect a

teacher's right to objectively present scientific critiques of

evolutionary theory; and

WHEREAS, existing state law does not expressly assure

parents that their children will be objectively informed of

scientific information relevant to biological origins; and

WHEREAS, existing state law does not adequately protect

the rights of students to subscribe to a particular position on

biological origins; and

WHEREAS, the trust that parents place in public education

compels the legislature to take special interest in this area

of public education;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department be

requested to ensure that when a theory of biological origins is

taught, public school teachers in New Mexico have the right and

freedom to objectively inform students of any scientific

information that is relevant to both the strengths and

weaknesses of that theory; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education

department be requested to ensure that teachers are not

reassigned, terminated, disciplined or otherwise discriminated

against for objectively informing students of scientific

information relevant to both the strengths and weaknesses of a

theory of biological origins; and

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education

department be requested to ensure that students are encouraged

to critically analyze scientific information and allowed the

right and freedom to reach their own conclusions about

biological origins; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education

department be requested to ensure that no student is penalized

in any way for subscribing to a particular position on

biological origins; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be

transmitted to the public education department for further

distribution to school districts.

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