Print
Evolution Debate Led to Ouster, Official Says
by The AP
Thanks to John Thomson for the link.
Evolution Debate Led to Ouster, Official Says
AUSTIN, Tex., Nov. 29 (AP) — The state's director of science curriculum said she resigned this month under pressure from officials who said she had given the appearance of criticizing the teaching of intelligent design.
The Texas Education Agency put the director, Chris Comer, on 30 days' paid administrative leave in late October, resulting in what Ms. Comer called a forced resignation.
The move came shortly after she forwarded an e-mail message announcing a presentation by Barbara Forrest, an author of "Creationism's Trojan Horse." The book argues that creationist politics are behind the movement to get intelligent design theory taught in public schools. Ms. Comer sent the message to several people and a few online communities.
Ms. Comer, who held her position for nine years, said she believed evolution politics were behind her ousting. "None of the other reasons they gave are, in and of themselves, firing offenses," she said.
Education agency officials declined to comment Wednesday on the matter. But they explained their recommendation to fire Ms. Comer in documents obtained by The Austin American-Statesman through the Texas Public Information Act.
"Ms. Comer's e-mail implies endorsement of the speaker and implies that T.E.A. endorses the speaker's position on a subject on which the agency must remain neutral," the officials said.
The agency documents say that officials recommended firing Ms. Comer for repeated acts of misconduct and insubordination.
The officials said forwarding the e-mail message conflicted with her job responsibilities and violated a directive that she not communicate with anyone outside the agency regarding a pending science curriculum review.
The documents criticize Ms. Comer for giving a presentation and attending an off-site meeting without approval. It also said she had complained that "there was no real leadership at the agency."
Evolution Debate Led to Ouster, Official Says
AUSTIN, Tex., Nov. 29 (AP) — The state's director of science curriculum said she resigned this month under pressure from officials who said she had given the appearance of criticizing the teaching of intelligent design.
The Texas Education Agency put the director, Chris Comer, on 30 days' paid administrative leave in late October, resulting in what Ms. Comer called a forced resignation.
The move came shortly after she forwarded an e-mail message announcing a presentation by Barbara Forrest, an author of "Creationism's Trojan Horse." The book argues that creationist politics are behind the movement to get intelligent design theory taught in public schools. Ms. Comer sent the message to several people and a few online communities.
Ms. Comer, who held her position for nine years, said she believed evolution politics were behind her ousting. "None of the other reasons they gave are, in and of themselves, firing offenses," she said.
Education agency officials declined to comment Wednesday on the matter. But they explained their recommendation to fire Ms. Comer in documents obtained by The Austin American-Statesman through the Texas Public Information Act.
"Ms. Comer's e-mail implies endorsement of the speaker and implies that T.E.A. endorses the speaker's position on a subject on which the agency must remain neutral," the officials said.
The agency documents say that officials recommended firing Ms. Comer for repeated acts of misconduct and insubordination.
The officials said forwarding the e-mail message conflicted with her job responsibilities and violated a directive that she not communicate with anyone outside the agency regarding a pending science curriculum review.
The documents criticize Ms. Comer for giving a presentation and attending an off-site meeting without approval. It also said she had complained that "there was no real leadership at the agency."
Add to del.icio.us
Posted: Saturday, December 1, 2007 | PermalinkComments 1 - 26 of 26 |
Reload Comments | Back to Top | Page Numbers2. Comment #92745 by BigJohn on December 1, 2007 at 11:39 am
I'm waiting to see how 'neutral' the board is when they introduce ID into the curriculum, which, given this latest action and the recent appointment of McLeroy, I am certain will happen fairly soon. Education in Texas, bad as it already is, is just going to get worse under these conditions.Fortunately, my kids are grown and no longer live in Texas so my family will be safe from a phony education.
Other Comments by BigJohn
3. Comment #92793 by JamesDB on December 1, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Intelligent Design in schools again huh. How many court cases does it take to convince a christian? apparently an infinite amount won't do the trick. I'm thinking some other kind of tactic needs to be put in place to combat these people and their crazy agendas. How many more honest teachers will lose their jobs fighting this battle for all of us?
Other Comments by JamesDB
4. Comment #92808 by Mister_X on December 1, 2007 at 1:57 pm
As soon as I heard about this, I filed a complaint to Texas Education Agency on this issue. I live in Texas by the way. I am disappointed and upset this is happening that TEA would be neutral between evolution and I.D. Why, I asked in my complaint. 'Would Ms. Comer resign if she was biased against astrology,' I asked. If they come after me being biased against I.D., I will be ready with questions on the validity of I.D.Other Comments by Mister_X
5. Comment #92810 by Floris Meijer on December 1, 2007 at 1:59 pm
"she had given the appearance of criticizing the teaching of intelligent design"I thought in America evolution was tought in the context of science and intelligent design had been prohibited by court to be tought in that specific context (ie, legally it's not science). Why is it then a teacher get's fired for giving students the opportunity to follow a lecture concerning evolution which is the standard in schools?
I read in this article about "a pending science curriculum review". This does probably mean Texas is wanting Intelligent Design tought in the context of science. I find it troubling that a teacher not bowing to the demands of religious people is fired, while you know that people who teach Intelligent design (which is outside the science curriculum) will not be punished for going outside the curriculum. Apparently religion goes above the law.
Other Comments by Floris Meijer
6. Comment #92863 by Acleron on December 1, 2007 at 3:53 pm
As reported in the blogospere, this is a great injustice and a real problem for children in Texas. However, I would like to know why she resigned because as Flagellant says, in cases like this it's usually better to be sacked.Other Comments by Acleron
7. Comment #92866 by Russell Blackford on December 1, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Could someone explain to me why it's better to be sacked? It looks like a constructive dismissal to me. I doubt that the "resignation" would prejudice any legal rights she might have. From a PR viewpoint, "forced out" works pretty much as well as "sacked".Or do people have some other aspect in mind? I'm just curious about what y'all are getting at, not contesting it.
Other Comments by Russell Blackford
8. Comment #92953 by bluebird on December 1, 2007 at 8:14 pm
I found a bit more info per this interesting article:http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/11/29/1129science.html
This is beyond frustrating; science, reason, etc. is strong-armed again.
how many more honest teachers will lose their jobs fighting this battle for us?
Frans de Waal (Time Magazine) quote:
I nominate as person/s of 2007, all the brave biology teachers of this nation who teach evolution despite the oppositon they encounter...they arm their children with the knowledge they need.
Other Comments by bluebird
9. Comment #93013 by Flagellant on December 2, 2007 at 1:09 am
As I'm responsible for the sacked/resigned canard, let me explain (Russell): when you are in a difficult work situation, the environment can become so unpleasant and intolerable that the only thing you want to do is get out.However, when there are serious matters of principle involved, in the long run it's better to be sacked. I have known several people who were sacked by notorious, incompetent bosses and the very sacking worked out as a good reference. All sensible people in the industry knew that the boss concerned was an irrational bastard and a piss-poor manager.
The best example of a resignation mistake, involving a matter of principle – although different in nature – concerns Greg Dyke who was director-general of the BBC. There was the serious spat with the UK government about Iraq information. (David Kelly, Andrew Gilligan, Lord Hutton… I don't want to go into this in detail – it's too far off-piste, and we're far enough, already.) According to his (not very good) book Inside Story, Dyke sought the opinion of his friend, Melvyn Bragg, on the issue. Bragg said that 'resigning will look better on your c.v.' (that's resumé) and Dyke duly resigned, rather than waiting to be fired. Wrong! It's better to make public the ultimatum 'Resign or be fired' and wait.
As events unfolded, it transpired that the BBC had been largely right. Dyke was popular with his staff at the BBC, so he wasn't under intolerable pressure. (I can only guess what it's like to work among an unrelieved group of creationists. I had one in my department once and it wasn't easy… ) Now, though, Dyke is thought of as a bit of a whinger. I, personally, think he should have stuck to his guns. Events have vindicated him.
With Ms Corner, perhaps it may be different and we don't know enough detail. (I omitted discussing 'constructive dismissal' from my first comment in the interest of brevity, and look where it's got me :-). Perhaps she has/had no support. However, in the end, because of the long-term common sense of the American people, I'm sure she will be vindicated. Unjustified sackings are always seen as vindictive and the work of insecure silly/nasty people, especially if you pointedly refuse to resign. If you resign, it can always be interpreted that you acknowledge, however slightly, that you were in the wrong.
Religion - an activity for consenting adults in private.
[Edit: thanks for the link, bluebird. It's nice to have more detail and to know that Ms Corner's getting some support.]
Other Comments by Flagellant
10. Comment #93043 by Acleron on December 2, 2007 at 3:45 am
Hi Russell, I hadn't any ulterior motive in inquiring why Ms Comer resigned.I can think of at least one extra reason, in that she considers that publicising the events is easier outside the box without the constraints that employment by TEA would carry. I just think it is important we should know as much as possible.
Other Comments by Acleron
11. Comment #93226 by padster1976 on December 2, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Beth,just posted this on the ini's website -
'I have read today that you have forced the resignation of your Science Curriculum Director for being 'biased' against 'Intelligent Design' or as its known colloquially - 'Utter Rubbish'.
Chris Comer is merely doing her job. Promoting Science. Which you should be proud. However, as ID is not science - Dover Vs Pennsilvannia - a) as Science Director, she would know abd b) how can she biased? Its simply not Science.
Your actions speaks volumes. BE please that you are not in the UK - we would eat you alive.
I thought that the rumour that americans are generally thick on average, but hey - more like you and it won't be a rumour!'
Thought the thick bit would generate some response.
Other Comments by padster1976
12. Comment #93308 by dariusdeluded on December 2, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Hi y'all,I've been too much the quiet observer. Just wanted to add my voice of support to the chorus. Here's what I posted to the TEA (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/tea/contact.html)
(thanks to Beth for the link)
How dare you fire Chris Comer for not kowtowing to your ridiculous desire to have ID taught in school. ID is not science. ID is not science. ID is not science. ID is not science.
Get that through your thick skulls.
Signed,
concerned member of the human species
Other Comments by dariusdeluded
13. Comment #93334 by Watts_Pete on December 2, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Your actions speaks volumes. BE pleased that you are not in the UK - we would eat you alive.
While still true for the time being perhaps for not much longer. I was horrified to see this IDiocy appearing in UK schools. The reason, because now we are getting more "faith-based" schools, with the right to set much of their curricula, which includes ID if they want. Christian schools have now started introducing it. Even worse, the overall effect is to make indoctrination centres of all of them, almost gauranteed to alienate the religionists even more so from each other. With parents depserate to avoid failing secular schools, the farce begins of aping religous observance to gain entry, which, combined with the indoctrination itself, can only expand the previously decling religionist populations. What a disaster in the making! Thank Darwin I have no kids!
PW
Other Comments by Watts_Pete
14. Comment #93338 by Electric Monk on December 2, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Here's my post:The recent forced resignation of Chris Cormer, the Texas director of science curriculum over an e-mail which was taken to imply that she was criticising "intelligent design" will be seen around the world as confirmation of the lax scientific education available in Texas. It is entirely appropriate that a director of science curriculum should criticise intelligent design since the concept is deeply and fundamentally unscientific and has no basis either in fact or in theory.
Other Comments by Electric Monk
15. Comment #93478 by MAS2007 on December 3, 2007 at 8:09 am
Also posted to site. Isn't Texas a great country?[/sarcasm off]
Other Comments by MAS2007
16. Comment #93666 by sent2null on December 3, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Just when we American's thought that the Pennsylvania case put the nail in the coffin of ID. It raises it's mangled, ignorance filled head down in the lone star state. A state where not too long ago a Black man was chained to a truck bumper and dragged to pieces. We need to ensure that the outrage that emerges from this obvious attempt by the TEA to get rid of people who were pro reality (ie. pro science) ahead of their so called review. Allowing a climate that will no doubt favor texts and practices that mention ID next to science. This is truly sickening, I am off to leave my note of outrage on the TEA site. Other Comments by sent2null
17. Comment #93680 by briancoughlanworldcitizen on December 3, 2007 at 10:43 pm
keeping up the pressure. Just posted this :I note that Chris Comer has not yet been reinstated.
When do you plan to redress the ludicrous and laughable behaviour of the TEA's inhouse religious nuts?
Other Comments by briancoughlanworldcitizen
18. Comment #93703 by epeeist on December 4, 2007 at 12:44 am
It has made the NY Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/04/opinion/04tue3.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin Other Comments by epeeist
19. Comment #93913 by annabanana on December 4, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Thanks for the link Beth,Just posted this:
Since the Dover Pennsylvania case found Intelligent Design to be non-scientific and constitutionally unfit to be taught in schools by a judge appointed by George W. Bush, the forced resignation of Ms. Comer is not only deplorable, but also most likely illegal. Since ID has been deemed unscientific in federal court, please explain what reason you had to fire her and why and how she should take any other position on this religion masquerading as a theory, especially as an educator in the know. I will be awaiting the news that Ms. Comer has been reinstated on the grounds that there were no grounds to have her dismissed in the first place.
Other Comments by annabanana
20. Comment #94974 by rod-the-farmer on December 7, 2007 at 4:58 am
I too posted a response to the Texas Education site. Thank goodness I have no children attending Texas schools. Other Comments by rod-the-farmer
21. Comment #111606 by MONKEYHANGER on January 15, 2008 at 6:15 am
Surely ms. Comer's 'job responsibilities' involve the teaching of science , not dated superstition.Other Comments by MONKEYHANGER
22. Comment #111611 by phasmagigas on January 15, 2008 at 6:37 am
generally, I would like to ask school officials, school governers and even the present/next US president 'do you accept evolution to be true?' answer yes or no (to avoid the learned answers including words like 'fair' and 'balanced' and 'theory').If the answer is no then i would continue with 'so you are saying that biology teachers across the USA are teaching children actual lies? answer yes or no.
If their answer is yes (which it has to be at this point) then I would ask them 'so why are you not marching en masse across the USA protesting this teaching of actual lies to children'?
if my child was being taught creationism in science i would join an en masse protest, why dont the creationists do the same? if their convictions are so strong and they are so right just how can they possibly allow the lies of evolution be taught to their children????
I think the initial question should be posed to the next US president, if he/she answered yes then a mass of biol teachers should stand up and ask 'president, when we teach kids evolution, are we telling them lies? yes or no'.
No president would have the fucking balls to say 'yes' to that, thats because they know inside how ridiculous they would look to the rest of the world.
Other Comments by phasmagigas
23. Comment #111615 by Epinephrine on January 15, 2008 at 6:54 am
The neurodojo site is still tracking Ms. Comer's situation.http://neurodojo.blogspot.com/search/label/TEA%20and%20Comer
Not sure if the situation will change, the TEA is probably hoping everyone will just forget about it after the feedback it got in december, I suspect it'd be a good thing not to let it be forgotten.
Ms. Comer's quote is touching - "But I feel like this is my contribution," she said. "This is my time to draw my line in the sand for science."
The world certainly needs more educators like you, Ms. Comer.
Other Comments by Epinephrine
24. Comment #111618 by al-rawandi on January 15, 2008 at 7:09 am
Thanks Beth,I posted something to the effect of "No wonder Texas is the laughing stock of the nation."
Fucking slack jawed yokels.
Other Comments by al-rawandi
25. Comment #111619 by Tyler Durden on January 15, 2008 at 7:14 am
"No wonder Texas is the laughing stock of the Other Comments by Tyler Durden
26. Comment #111628 by al-rawandi on January 15, 2008 at 7:40 am
sent2null,I thought about your post. When I was an athlete I had the distinct "opportunity" to travel to many of these states. Among them Virgnia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Florida. I noticed two pervasive issues. One was racism. In North Carolina I heard the word "niggerr" used in a pejorative, non-joking manner for the first time. I am from California, and I was shocked. I am not shocked that the states where these kind of ignorant views are still popular are also the states where the ID movement has a stronghold
The ignorance behind racism is the same ignorance behind opposition to evolution. Thus I treat people opposed to evolution the way I would treat a racist.
My 2 cents.
Also take a look at the 100 dumbest things posted by Christian fundamentalists on various websites.
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:http%3A//www.fstdt.com/fundies/top100.aspx%3Farchive%3D1
Other Comments by al-rawandi
Upcoming Events:
About this site
Mailing List Signup: Enter your email
Go to The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science
Richard Dawkins Articles | Comments | Tour Journal
Atheist Resources | Local Groups
Debate Points | Latest Responses
Links:
Quotes of Note:
"The position I have always adopted is that much of animal nature is indeed altruistic, cooperative and even attended by benevolent subjective emotions, but that this follows from, rather than contradicts, selfishness at the genetic level."
Richard Dawkins
"Most of what we strive for in our modern life uses the apparatus of goal seeking that was originally set up to seek goals in the state of nature."
Richard Dawkins
"I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world."
Richard Dawkins
"Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."
Thomas Jefferson
"What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof."
Christopher Hitchens
Other Recommended Reading
Parenting Beyond Belief
Dale McGowan (Editor)
Why Darwin Matters
Michael Shermer
Read the 1st Chapter!
The Quotable Atheist
Jack Huberman
The Future of Life
Edward O. Wilson
Creationism's Trojan Horse
Barbara Forrest, Paul R. Gross
More Books
Adjust font size: 
"If this book doesn't change the world -- we're all screwed."
-Penn (Penn & Teller)
The God Delusion
by Richard Dawkins
Over 1.5 million copies sold
DVDs
'Break the Science Barrier' DVD
'The Four Horsemen' DVD
'AAI 2007 Conference' DVD
'Root of All Evil? The Original Program' DVD
'Root of All Evil? The Uncut Interviews' DVD
'Growing Up in the Universe' DVD
Books by Richard Dawkins
The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing
by Richard Dawkins
The Ancestor's Tale
by Richard Dawkins
The Selfish Gene
by Richard Dawkins
The Blind Watchmaker
by Richard Dawkins
Unweaving the Rainbow
by Richard Dawkins
1. Comment #92718 by Flagellant on December 1, 2007 at 10:03 am
Religion - an activity for consenting adults in private.
Other Comments by Flagellant