A bill in the state Legislature seeking to regulate science curriculum in public schools got its first hearing Monday. The legislation’s sponsor says by banning scientific theories, the policy aims to prevent kids from being taught things that aren’t true.
More than 20 people testified against Senate Bill 235, concerned that it could keep teachers from including gravitational theory, evolution and cell theory in curriculum.
Mia Taylor is a sophomore at Helena High School. She told the committee, "If we remove scientific theory from science curriculums, what can be taught will be limited. It is the school's job to educate its students."
The bill is sponsored by freshman Republican Senator Daniel Emrich from Great Falls. In his testimony, Emrich said the bill would make sure students are taught what a scientific fact is.
"If we operate on the assumption that a theory is fact, unfortunately, it leads us to asking questions that may be potentially based on false assumptions," Emrich said.
A legal note from legislative staff says the bill could overstep the Board of Public Education’s constitutional authority to oversee schools in the state.
The committee did not take immediate action on the bill.
-
Shaylee RagarState lawmakers say the City of Laurel’s decision to block water service to a proposed mental health facility may be violating protections for people with disabilities. Lawmakers may withhold state funding if the city doesn’t reverse course. -
Montana Public RadioState workers will pay more for health care starting next year. State officials say that’s necessary because the cost of the state health plan was higher than expected. The state employees union struck a deal with the state to mitigate some of the price hikes for workers. -
Montana Public RadioAs the next legislative session draws closer, leadership from the Mountain States Policy Center and Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office are trying to gather support for a flat personal income tax for all Montana taxpayers. Advocates promoted the proposal and fielded questions from voters in Helena Thursday. -
Clayton MurphyAfter Montana’s Attorney General made an opinion that would kick two moderate Republican lawmakers off the ballot, a district judge has issued a restraining order on the decision – keeping both lawmakers in the race. -
Clayton MurphyFrom special education programs to building renovations, commissioners approved a package of recommendations they believe will help patch holes in Montana’s public education system; chief of which is a plan to simplify the schools budget. -
Clayton MurphyA district court judge has thrown out a state senator’s guilty verdict less than 24 hours after it was spoken. Sen. Jason Ellsworth was found guilty of using his access to Senate funds to privately award $170,000 in government contracts to a longtime friend, using a loophole to avoid a public bid. A retrial is scheduled for December.
