Tennessee senator Bo WatsonNASHVILLE — State senators on Monday approved a bill they say protects teachers when discussing the “strengths and scientific weaknesses” of scientific theories such as evolution and climate change.
But several lawmakers and scientists said they still have concerns it could be used to introduce religious teachings into public school science classes.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, passed on a 24-8 vote.
Because of a Watson amendment that seeks to calm a storm of controversy over the bill in scientific circles, the bill now goes back to the House, which passed a different version of the measure last year.
It requires discussions between teachers and students to take place within the “framework” of the State Board of Education and local school systems’ science curriculum, Watson said.