SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Senate Education Committee this morning voted five to four to send a measure advocates say will allow teachers the freedom to discuss strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories, including climate change and the big bang.
Bill sponsor Republican Jeff Monroe of Pierre said the bill doesn't bring any new science courses into schools.
Senator Monroe says when "we're dealing with theories, we're dealing with things that aren't proven. Things that people know are not established facts."
Dr. Wade Pogany, with the Associated School Boards of South Dakota, says schools could be sued for teaching prohibited curriculum.
Pogany says schools don't teach "creationism" because the United States Supreme Court has made that a prohibitive curriculum. He says that would be allowed under Senate Bill 55 and that's what school districts could be sued over.
The bill goes to the Senate.
The Sioux Falls School Board publically opposed the measure at last night's meeting.