ACLU-WV creates tool to report teachers ‘pushing religion in the classroom’

CHARLESTON, W.Va. ( WTRF ) — With a new school year underway, the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia (ACLU-WV) has launched an online tool for students and their parents to report attempts by teachers to “push religious ideology.”

Earlier this year, West Virginia lawmakers passed SB 280, which, in its original form , specifically permitted the teaching of intelligent design creationism in public schools.

However, following an outcry, the bill was amended to permit teachers instead to answer questions about “scientific theories” on the origins of life.

ACLU-WV said the bill’s supporters have publicly stated it could still permit educators to present so-called “intelligent design” and the Book of Genesis as scientific theories.

A 2005 court ruling in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District found that intelligent design is not science.

“It’s entirely unclear what exactly the final version of this bill seeks to permit because it was already lawful for teachers to answer questions about scientific theories,” ACLU-WV Legal Director Aubrey Sparks said. “What is clear, however, is the constitutional right to freedom of religion; the state may not push specific religious viewpoints onto students, period.”

Although the bill’s language is unclear, Sparks said there is concern that some teachers might believe they now have a blank check to assert their religious views as science. She emphasized that the vast majority of West Virginia’s public school teachers would never attempt to violate a student’s rights but that even a single violation must be taken seriously.

She said ACLU-WV will closely monitor the situation and that a member of the legal team will personally review every complaint received.

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