Date: December 4, 2007
By: Catie BeckThe state's director of science
curriculum has resigned under pressure from Texas
Education Agency officials after nine years on the job.
Agency documents show officials were concerned that
Chris Comer gave the appearance of criticizing the
instruction of intelligent design.
Comer was suspended shortly after forwarding an
e-mail announcing a presentation being given by an
author who says creationist politics are behind the
movement to get intelligent design theory taught in
public schools.
"That does raise serious questions and I do think it
was inappropriate," Jim Cardle of the conservative Texas
Citizen Action Network said.
Some worry her resignation was recommended because of
the politics surrounding how evolution is taught in
science classrooms.
"All of us are concerned that a political litmus test
or worse, a religious litmus test, could be at play,"
Ryan Valentine of the liberal Texas Freedom Network
said.
Her resignation comes just before a major review of
the curriculum standards. Next year, the State Board of
Education begins a review of the state science
curriculum, which will set standards for classroom
instruction and textbook selection.
In an agency memo, Texas Education Agency officials
wrote that Comer crossed the line. They said she should
have remained neutral on the issue and sending the
e-mail showed a bias.
"We don't try to inflict or impose our own personal
opinion in to the issue, we're following the law,"
Debbie Ratcliff of the TEA said.
Others say expecting Comer's role to be neutral is an
absurd demand, and politics is playing to large a role
in education.
"It's a little like asking the science director to
remain neutral on whether the earth is the center of the
universe," Valentine said.
TEA officials claim Comer had previous incidents of
misconduct and insubordination. Officials say they will
post Comer's job soon because next year will be an
important one, and they want the right person for the
job.
Comer has obtained counsel and does not want to
comment on her situation.
Read this news article on News 8 Austin's
website.
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