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porters like state representative John

Michigan

Moolenaar said the bill would help make

Intelligent Design

· Richland--For two years, Julie Olson and

sure that all sides of controversial topics

were taught. "There is a growing body of

Dawn Wenzel, middle school teachers in

scientific education that contradicts or

the Gull Lake Community Schools sys-

questions various aspects of evolution,

tem, taught intelligent design alongside

which provides opportunities for stu-

evolution. During that time, they also

dents to examine (theories) from both

slipped the pro-intelligent design book Of

sides," Moolenaar said. The House

Pandas and People onto the district's annu-

Education Committee eventually passed

al textbook list, and added a lesson on the

the legislation, but with the language

book into the district's science curricu-

specifically targeting evolution and glob-

lum, both of which the school board

al warming removed.138

approved. Eventually, the district caught

on to what had happened when a parent

complained in the fall of 2004. The dis-

Multiculturalism

· Lansing--"America" is a term that technical-

trict subsequently put together a commit-

tee, which included the two teachers, to

ly refers to all of North and South America,

determine whether intelligent design

and "Americans" is the term for people

belonged in the curriculum. In May 2005

who live in those places. However, people in

the committee voted against including

the United States routinely identify their

intelligent design, and the teachers

nation as "America" and themselves as

turned to the Thomas More Law Center,

"Americans." For Michigan school kids,

a conservative public interest law firm, to

that's becoming less and less acceptable.

contemplate a suit. In January, after los-

Ten years ago, for instance, state officials

ing an intelligent design case in Dover,

eliminated the use of the term "Americans"

Pennsylvania, Thomas More Center pres-

in the Michigan Educational Assessment

ident Richard Thompson said he would

Program's social studies test because,

be turning his attention toward Richland.

according to Michigan Department of

Wenzel, for one, seemed to be itching for

Education social studies consultant Karen

a fight. "As far as my academic freedom

Todorov, it is "ethnocentric." In May,

goes, that's being stifled," Wenzel told the

Todorov made defenders of the more com-

Associated Press in January. Gull Lake

mon use of "American" angry once again

Superintendent Rich Ramsey was willing

when she told the Michigan Social Studies

to have Intelligent Design discussed--in

Supervisors Association that school offi-

social studies class. "I don't think intelli-

cials should tell teachers never to use

gent design ought to be banned from

"America" or "Americans." As the Detroit

being talked about," he said. "It has value

News wrote in a late-May editorial, "[state

in the appropriate setting."137

school superintendent Mike] Flanagan

· Lansing--In September, a bill that would

may soft pedal her [Todorov's] comments

as an innocent `conversation,' but they had

have required Michigan's state board of

the blunt force of the state behind

education to add language to state sci-

them."139

ence standards saying that students

· Lansing--In June, State Superintendent

should be able to critically evaluate scien-

tific theories, but which mentioned only

of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan

two theories by name--global warming

put implementation of new high school

and evolution--was introduced in the

social studies standards on hold when

legislature. The bill was immediately

an outcry was raised against them.

rebuked by groups like the National

Oakland County Circuit Court Judge

Center for Science Education, while sup-

Michael Warren first brought attention

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