Should I take my daughter to a different school?

Keep her in the same school, and let her formulate her own opinions on the subject. Answer any questions objectively.

that’s a really interesting question. how old is your daughter? children learn to think for themselves at different ages. if she’s in middle or high school, or if you feel like she could hold her own, i would let it be. keep in the same school if she likes it. look at the book, make sure it’s objective. if it’s not, buy her some that are.

there are questionable parts in both theories… Which is why they are only theories and not facts. Pulling a child out because you do not agree with it is silly.

You didn’t really mention if you personally believe in creationism or not. But if I were you, I’d probably just attempt to supplement her education at home with some extra reading or even just conversation. If you want her to have the whole picture, provide it to her! Just because they teach her that in school doesn’t mean that’s the way it has to be, you know?

Plus, if you’ve found a good educational environment and she’s socially comfortable there, why disturb all that? I’m sure the school teaches many other subjects. That being said, if you’re personally offended by creationism and don’t want your child learning it at all, then by all means, do what you think is responsible as a parent, and if that means to you to pull her out, then you should stick to your guns and do so.

Not to get into a whole evolution vs creation debate (because that has been beaten to death here), but they are not both “theories and not facts” as Silentlylogical put it. Creationism requires faith in an omnicient being, whereas evolution is simply a scientific paradigm for explaining the diversity of life. To equate them is absurd.

I would think strongly about requesting a different teacher, or pointing out to the administration what is going on in this teacher’s classroom.

I know plenty of people that went to Catholic school but still turned out to be able to think for themselves and decide what they choose to believe in.
I would be very surprised if that is the only view she will be presented with throughout her schooling.
If the school is otherwise good, conducive to learning and offers a balanced presentation of information, I don’t think one teacher’s preference is enough reason to move her from an environment she’s happy in.

THANK YOU shilolo! I was sitting here, about to write all that, and pouf! your answer popped up, and now i don’t have to!

She is 7 1/2….our family believes in facts and science, and we want her to use her time wisely. We don’t teach her that Santa Claus is real or the Easter Bunny (though she loves chocolate eggs and X-mas presents).

I too am a Catholic school survivor…..

Is this a science teacher in a public school? If so, she’s violating the law separating church & state. If she wants to teach biblical creation, she should do it in the appropriate place – a religious studies class or Sunday school.

If this is a religious school and you don’t agree with the bias in curriculum, pull her out.

The law is different in every state, Pup. When I was in high school my science teacher told us that she didn’t believe in creationism but that by the codes set down by the Tennessee Board of Education, she was required to mention creationism, so she did.

@Allen; Challenging and fascinating question..I would be very hot-under-the-collar if she were my daughter. As I look back, my first really clear memories of school and what I learned were when I was 7. If you really are happy with the rest of the school, can you find some other parents who might be distressed if they knew what was going on in the alleged “science” class? Strength in numbers, remember.

If she had to sit in that class, take her to science museums, natural history museums, a planetarium, and get her some good books for her age level about evolutionary theories, including cosmology, carbon dating and astronomical data. Buy her good binoculars for star gazing and looking at birds and butterflies.

What state do you live in? Is the school private or public?

The school is public, and in a very conservative district, where they teach abstinence only, and they have a very conservative school board.
I am conflicted and feel undermined as a parent. I plan on meeting with the teacher to discuss my concerns. A trip to a planetarium us good idea…

If the board is conservative, I wish you luck. Can you rally any other like-minded parents to support your position. Åre there state-mandated laws on this hot-button subject?

May I ask what part of the country this is happening in?

Arizona