A self-avowed creationist booted intelligent design from Ohio's science program on Tuesday. Martha Wise, the member of the state board of education who asked her colleagues to strike the "Critical Analysis of Evolution" model lesson plan from state curriculum materials, celebrated her victory by saying that this decision is "good for students...science...and the state of Ohio." She tried the same strategy last month, but lost by a 9-8 vote. Perhaps governor Taft's threat to send the disputed lesson plan for legal review in the wake of the recent federal court decision finding that intelligent design wasn't science (see here) catalyzed the board's change of heart. Wise has taken heat from the intelligent design crowd, who ask how she could do this to them. "I can do [it] because I believe there are two separate issues here. One is the teaching of good science. The other is the teaching of creationism...that should be taught...at church or at home...not in science class." Hallelujah.
"Darwin Prevails in Latest Skirmish," by Carrie Spencer Ghose, Cincinnati Post, February 15, 2006
"Challengers of Evolution Lose," by Lisa Anderson, Chicago Tribune, February 15, 2006