Last week (August 7), Missouri voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment that at first glance looks harmless, but has some people worried it provides ammunition for undermining the teaching of evolution in public schools.
The amendment reaffirms the rights of citizens to express their religious beliefs, and specifically highlights the right of school children to "pray and acknowledge God voluntarily in their schools." This right to freedom of religion is already protected under the Bill of Rights, and science education experts like Joshua Rosenau, the programs and policy director of the National Center for Science Education in Oakland, California, are worried the vague wording of the new amendment could allow many actions that disrupt students' learning of evolution.
In particular, Rosneau told ScienceInsider, the clause "that no student shall be compelled to perform or participate in academic assignments or educational presentations that violate his or her religious beliefs" gives students ...
