THURSDAY,OCTOBER 6,2005
STATE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 5A
New commissioner seen as conservative
BY JOHN HANNA
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TOPEKA — When it comes to evolution and sex education, the state's new education commissioner agrees with the people who hired him.
Bob Corkins said Wednesday he supports proposed science standards backed by the State Board of Education's conservative majority that are designed to expose students to more criticism of evolution. Those standards were drafted by intelligent design advocates and have been criticized heavily by some scientists.
The board Tuesday hired Corkins on a 6-4 vote, mirroring the conservative-moderate split. For four years, Corkins has led two conservative think tanks, the Freestate Center for Liberty
Corkins also said during an interview that he favored a proposal to require school districts to get parents' written permission before having students take sex education classes. Most districts now assume a student will participate in the classes unless a parent objects.
Krebs and other critics worry about promoting intelligent design, which they view as another form of creationism, which has been banned from classrooms by the U.S. Supreme Court.
"I have no objection, no personal objection, nor any hesitation to personally support those positions that I've seen the board take." Corkins said.
Corkins said the board's majority wasn't promoting religion.
Studies and Kansas Legislative Research and Education.
Jack Krebs, a critic of the board's conservatives, wasn't surprised. An Oskaloosa High School teacher, Krebs helped draft proposed science standards with evolution-friendly language the conservatives rejected and rewrote.
"I think it would behoove Kansans to look more into what the board has actually recommended in terms of science standards," Corkins said. "It's, in fact, not religion that they're hoping to teach in schools, but good science. That's what this is all about."
But Corkins said parents should have a role in deciding what classes their children take, adding that local school officials have wanted to encourage greater interaction among parents and educators. "The opt-in policy is very consistent with those goals," he said.
"They definitely picked someone who they think will further their agenda on a number of issues," Krebs said. "Of course, it's troubling, because it means that he is a part of this conservative attack on education." The board expects to approve new science standards later this year to be used in testing students, while letting local school boards decide what actually is taught.
Last month, the board split 5-5 on the sex education proposal, with all the yes votes coming from conservatives. Critics of the plan say it would lead to fewer students receiving necessary sex education.
The new standards would replace ones that treat evolution as well-established science and would be used to determine the questions on statewide, mandatory student achievement tests for science.
High waters
Floodwaters fill the base-ment of Kent and Michelle Schley's home in Rossville Monday. The couple is planning to sell the house. Strong storms moved through much of Kansas this week and caused heavy flooding in some areas
Orlin Wagner/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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