There have been many articles written to date on the court decision requiring schools to remove disclaimer stickers from science textbooks. I support the decision, and feel that the stickers were absolutely ridiculous.

And I am a conservative Christian who takes many issues with evolution AS PRESENTED IN MANY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEXTS. That's not to say I don't "believe" in evolution. Frankly (warning: John Birchers may be offended reading past this point), to say evolution doesn't happen is ridiculous, and is empirically disprovable. However, this is not about evolution, and, frankly, it's not about religion. Another section of the same amendment is what really applies here: the freedom of speech. By placing a disclaimer on a textbook, you are implicitly undermining the credibility of the authors and editors, each of whom hold a view that is equally as valid as your own.

Public education is a trust. It MUST work in the best interests of ALL concerned. To do otherwise would be a betrayal of that trust. We in this country are privileged to have access to a wide variety of educational options, from homeschooling to private schooling, to public schooling. Putting your children in public schools is a CHOICE. By making that choice, you put faith in the educators and administration to adequately educate your children, and they can't do their job if it's their very credibility you are calling into question.

A very wise college freshman history prof once taught me that "History is interpretation". No more can that point be further driven home than when you study the differences in how the Civil War (or, "war of Northern Agression") is taught from state to state. If a history teacher was limited to a presentation of history that held to one view, or if said teacher's texts were forced to carry a disclaimer, the teacher would effectively be emasculated, and they would be handicapped in their ability to do the job.

Parents can, and SHOULD be a part of the educational process of their children. But they should not continually call into question the curriculum that is being provided to their children, provided said curriculum is widely accepted among the academic community. If they do not have faith in the ability of the public school system to educate their children, it might be best for them to explore other options.

Respectfully submitted,

Gideon MacLeish