State board may label evolution standards as 'theory'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The State Board of Education is scheduled to vote next week on how evolution should be taught in Florida schools.

Florida's existing science standards do not mention evolution by name although they require its teaching. They use code words like "change over time."

However, the proposed standards refer explicitly to evolution and describe it as "the fundamental concept underlying all of biology."

Some opponents have urged the board to label evolution as a theory because they believe it conflicts with the biblical account of creation.

That phrasing is fine with many advocates of the new standards because scientists routinely refer to evolution as a theory -- although the word has a different meaning in their realm than it does in common usage.

The board is set to vote on Tuesday.

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