Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana, San Diego, California, Arkansas

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1981-12-11

Duration: 00:27:34

Subjects: Evolution | Science | Religion | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1981 | Institute for Creation Research | Academic freedom | Louisiana. Department of Education | AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION | ACLU | Education | CREATIONISM | Louisiana. Legislature

Contributors:

• George, Beth Host
• Blome, Ron Host
• Fourrier, Clay Photographer
• Parker, Gene Photographer
• Bryan, Bill Photographer
• Fourrier, Clay Director
• Bush, Charles Associate Producer
• Blome, Ron Producer
• George, Beth Producer
• Keith, Bill Speaker
• Blanton, Ray Speaker
• Treen, Dave Speaker
• Bliss, Richard Interviewee
• Kent, George Interviewee
• Minchew, Raymond Interviewee
• McGehee, Don Interviewee
• Stovall, James Interviewee
• Weltchek, Andrew Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from December 11, 1981, features a repeat showing of an in-depth report on the controversy surrounding the new law requiring the teaching of creation science in equal time with the theory of evolution in public schools.  This report includes: highlights of the debate over the bill during the 1981 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature; a visit to the Institute for Creation Research at Christian Heritage College in San Diego, California, the organization responsible for producing creation science textbooks; the question of whether creation science should be taught in science or religion classes; the effect of the law on the academic freedom of teachers; the Department of Education’s estimates for the cost of implementing the law; and the planned lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law.  This report was preceded by an update on an ACLU lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a similar law in Arkansas.