HB592 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mack N. ButlerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Science courses in public schools, encourage students to explore scientific evidence, develop critical thinking, analyze, critique and review scientific theories

Summary

The bill would require public schools to encourage students to explore scientific questions and evidence, think critically, and discuss scientific topics respectfully, while allowing teachers to present the strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories.

What This Bill Does

It would require the State Board of Education, local boards, and K-12 staff to create an environment that encourages exploration, evidence-based learning, critical thinking, and respectful discussion of differences of opinion about scientific subjects. It would allow teachers to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review the scientific strengths and weaknesses of all existing theories covered in science courses, in an objective manner. It would require the Department of Education to notify superintendents by the start of the 2015-2016 school year and for superintendents to notify all school employees, with the act taking effect immediately after passage.

Who It Affects

• K-12 public school students would be affected by being encouraged to explore questions, learn about evidence, and discuss differing viewpoints in science classes.
• K-12 public school teachers and school administrators (including superintendents and principals) would be responsible for implementing the environment and presenting the science curriculum so it covers the strengths and weaknesses of theories in an objective way.

Key Provisions

• The bill requires boards of education and school staff to create an environment in K-12 public schools that encourages exploration of scientific questions, learning about evidence, developing critical thinking, and respectful discussion of differing opinions on scientific subjects; and allows teachers to present the scientific strengths and weaknesses of all scientific theories covered in the science course in an objective manner, without promoting religion.
• The bill requires the Department of Education to notify superintendents by the start of the 2015-2016 school year, require superintendents to notify employees, and it becomes effective immediately after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Teachers