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But, in the U.S. a parent can always have a child excused from specificnever
parts of a course that offends the parent's religious beliefs. I've
heard of a case, however, where the excused portion was required for theIf the so-called excused portion (assuming it is evolution) is in
child to graduate.
the state science standards, which in most states are, and all teachers
are responsible for teaching to those standards in preparation for the
state mandated *exit* test in science, then there would most likely be
specific questions on any test pertaining to those standards. Now, the
child who was excused from the evolution part would still have to answer
those questions because I never heard of a state test that is altered to
accomodate specific individuals who may object to a certain part of the
test. What is the child going to write... I refuse to answer on the
grounds it is against my religion? The child should hope he or she has
enough of the other questions correct to make up for those he or she
refuses to darken in the bubble.
This whole issue opens up a new can of worms... what about the
English history or literature course that teaches the druids or Beowulf?
(Gods and goddesses other than the *accepted* ones) or MacBeth
(witches); the Health or Bio course on the reproduction system? the
history course that teaches Salem witch trials? music... The Ring
Cycle (Norse Gods), *Night on Bald Mountain* ("unGodly music with
suggestions of spirits") Silly? To us it may very well be, but you
would be surprised how many people object to course contenc we would
never think twice about.
Private schools are especially protective about what their students
get to read, hear, see, or experience. That's their right, but it
mirrors the public school teacher's nightmare taken to the extreme.