by Nick Matzke
The bill was passed 7-0 by the Senate Education Committee in March. During committee hearings in the Senate Education Committee on SB336 and in the House Education Committee on a similar bill (HB391), discussion revealed that the purpose of the "Academic Freedom Act" was to protect the teaching of creationism (see previous NCSE summary).
The engrossed version of SB336 went to the House, where it received its first reading on April 13, and was referred to the House Education Committee.
A new group, Alabama Citizens for Science Education (www.alscience.org), has recently formed with the mission "To promote the best possible science education in Alabama public schools." On its website, ACSE has posted critiques of SB336/HB391 from an educational perspective and a legal perspective.
Links:
- Montgomery Advertiser Capitol Insider [Link has expired]
- Engrossed version SB336
- SB366 bill history
- HB391 bill history
- ALISON: Alabama Legislative Information System ONline
- Alabama Legislature Homepage
- Alabama Citizens for Science Education