PZ and Ed have both mentioned this NY Times article suggesting that Ohio's about ready to cut out its cancer that are the Jon Wells-inspired "critical analysis of evolution" from their lesson plan. Richard Hoppe of Ohio Citizens for Science has been following the story over on Panda's Thumb--for example, here and here most recently). I'll be in Ohio later this week; hopefully some celebratin' will be in order. Keep your eye on it.
Also from over at PT, Reed shares an interview with Massimo Pigliucci, who's been holding Darwin Day celebrations since 1997 and helped to popularize them. Interesting stuff.
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Oh yeah, baby--Richard has the dish over on Panda's Thumb:
As I've mentioned previously, I'm an Ohioan, born and bred.
Previously unopposed, "...the most notorious creationist on the Ohio State Board of Education, Deborah Owens Fink, has a challenger in the Novemeber 7th election." The election is non-partisan and the serious challenger is Tom Sawyer.
The maintenance of intellectually sound K-12 science standards involves the work of people at many levels - scientists, educators, school board members, and the general public.
Celebrating is absolutely in order, Tara. It's done: the benchmark, indicator, and lesson plan are all gone! And by a decisive vote, 11-4. Only the hardcore creationists (Cochran, Owens-Fink, Grady, and Westendorf) hung in to the bitter end. Woo hoo!!
RBH