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DOVER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT INTELLIGENT DESIGN CASE -- 2004-2005
October 18, 2004 -- the Board approves the reading of a one-minute statement at the beginning of ninth grade Biology.
The one-minute statement that started it all:
"The Pennsylvania Academic Standards require students to learn about Darwin's Theory of Evolution and eventually to take a standardized test of which evolution is a part. Because Darwin's Theory is a theory, it continues to be tested as new evidence is discovered. The Theory is not a fact. Gaps in the Theory exist for which there is no evidence. A theory is defined as a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observation. Intelligent Design is an explanation of the origin of life that differs from Darwin's view. The reference book, Of Pandas and People, is available for students who might be interested in gaining an understanding of what Intelligent Design actually involves.
With respect to any theory, students are encouraged to keep an open mind. The school leaves the discussion of the Origins of Life to individual students and their families. As a Standards-driven district, class instruction focuses upon preparing students to achieve proficiency on Standards-based assessments."
The above statement was to be read to students once at the beginning of ninth grade Biology class. Parents could opt them out of the reading if they wanted. Of the 175 students in the biology classes only fifteen were opted out of the reading. After the statement was read the usual lessons on evolution were taught.
December 2004 -- ACLU files a federal lawsuit against the District on behalf of eleven parents
September 2005 -- trial begins
November 9, 2005 -- Incumbent School Board members lose re-election bid -- but Dover students are the real losers.
December 20, 2005 -- Judge John Jones III Rules that ID Statement 'crosses the line' and is unconstitutional - board members were religiously motivated!
December 23, 2005 -- Senator Santorum backtracks on Dover case
December 15, 2006 -- Discovery Institute Reports that Judge John Jones has plagiarized over 90% of his ruling from ACLU documents!
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