Lawsuit Filed To Block Kansas Science Standaeds

An anti-evolution group has filed a federal lawsuit to block Kansas from using new, multistate science standards in its public schools.

Citizens for Objective Public Education argued in the lawsuit filed Thursday that the standards promote atheism and violate students’ and parents’ religious freedoms.

The group had criticized the standards developed by Kansas and 25 other states for treating both evolution and climate change as key scientific concepts to be taught from kindergarten through 12th grade. The Kansas State Board of Education adopted them in June.

The case is the latest chapter in a long-running debate in Kansas over what to teach students about evolution.

The lawsuit argues the new standards will cause Kansas public schools to promote what it calls a "non-theistic religious worldview."