Will describing evolution as a "scientific theory" appease critics who say the state's proposed new science standards are dogmatic?

Department of Education officials told The Gradebook this afternoon that they will offer that option to the Board of Education Tuesday, when the board is slated to vote on the proposed standards in Tallahassee. "That's not a compromise at all," said DOE spokeswoman Jennifer Fennell. "We're bringing forth the best options that are still scientifically accurate."

Fennell said DOE officials ran the idea past some members of the writers and framers committee (which crafted the proposed standards) and "the consensus is, it's scientifically accurate."

The proposed standards describe evolution as "the fundamental concept underlying all of biology" and one "supported by multiple forms of scientific evidence." The term theory is not used.

- Ron Matus, state education reporter