O:\Jones\Neiburg\Dover Area School District\Final Dover Opinion.Wpd
Case 4:04-cv-02688-JEJ Document 342 Filed 12/20/2005 Page 1 of 139 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA TAMMY KITZMILLER, et al. : Case No. 04cv2688 : Plaintiffs : Judge Jones : v. : : DOVER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, et al.,: : Defendants. : MEMORANDUM OPINION December 20, 2005 INTRODUCTION: On October 18, 2004, the Defendant Dover Area School Board of Directors passed by a 6-3 vote the following resolution: Students will be made aware of gaps/problems in Darwin’s theory and of other theories of evolution including, but not limited to, intelligent design. Note: Origins of Life is not taught. On November 19, 2004, the Defendant Dover Area School District announced by press release that, commencing in January 2005, teachers would be required to read the following statement to students in the ninth grade biology class at Dover High School: The Pennsylvania Academic Standards require students to learn about Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and 1 Case 4:04-cv-02688-JEJ Document 342 Filed 12/20/2005 Page 2 of 139 eventually to take a standardized test of which evolution is a part. Because Darwin’s Theory is a theory, it continues to be tested as new evidence is discovered. The Theory is not a fact. Gaps in the Theory exist for which there is no evidence. A theory is defined as a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations. Intelligent Design is an explanation of the origin of life that differs from Darwin’s view. The reference book, Of Pandas and People, is available for students who might be interested in gaining an understanding of what Intelligent Design actually involves.
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