Separation of Education and State

Yesterday the Ohio Board of Education voted 11-4 to dispense with a 'mandate' for Ohio schools to teach a 'critical analysis' of evolution in school, along with an accompanying model lesson plan published/disseminated by the Discovery Institute. The move was considered a victory for evolution because it was made on the basis that the 'critical analysis' wording favoured intelligent design in second guessing evolution. What these cheering squads have again failed to notice is that it is now considered acceptable for the legislature to pass approved lesson plans and even specifically mandate what is and is not to be taught in schools.

It's wonderful that this legislation was finally struck down, but not because the opposing view should be sanctioned by the government instead. It should have been struck down because the government has no right to sanction any educational standards.