Arizona Schools Superintendent Wants Evolution Taught As 'Theory'

TUCSON, AZ – The state's superintendent of schools is looking to change the teaching of evolution to the teaching of "theory of evolution." Diane Douglas would also like to remove references to "supporting evidence for the Big Bang theory."

The changes are part of proposals to the standards for what students are required to learn while in high school. The standards present 14 core ideas that teachers are supposed to use in creating curriculum.

Instead of referring to studying how "adaptations contribute to the process of biological evolution," students would learn about "how traits within populations change over time."

The proposed changes can be found on the department's website.

While "evolution" remains in some places in the document, it is always referred to as a theory.

The current standard talks about "The unity and diversity of living and extinct organisms is the result of evolution."

That would be changed to "The theory of evolution seeks to make clear the unity and diversity of living and extinct organisms."

Douglas is already under fire for audio obtained by 12News in which she says, “Should the theory of intelligent design be taught along with the theory of evolution? Absolutely."

As for the Big Bang Theory of expansion of the universe, reference to the Big Bang is replaced by "theories related to the scale and expansion of the universe."

The National Center for Science Education strongly opposes the proposed changes, saying that "the revisions are aimed deliberately at softening the treatment of evolution, and thus misleading teachers and students about the scientific standing of evolution."

The state is currently accepting comments on the proposals through May 28. The changes would have to be approved by the state's Board of Regents.

Photo of Diane Douglas via Arizona Education Department.