Topeka ? With the federal No Child Left Behind law and a continuing court battle over Kansas’ school-funding formula, Republican candidates for the State Board of Education say the Aug. 3 primary is as much about ideology as reading and writing.

At stake is control of the 10-member board, split 5-5 between a block of conservative Republicans and an alliance of Democrats and moderate Republicans. Five board members are seeking re-election; two have primaries, one has a general election contest, and two are unopposed.

In the 6th District, incumbent Republican Bruce Wyatt, of Salina, faces Kathy Martin, of Clay Center. In the 10th, incumbent Steve Abrams, of Arkansas City, is being challenged by Tim Aiken, of Derby. Board members serve four-year terms.

Creationism debate returns

Martin, 58, is a former science teacher taking on Wyatt, and a major element of her platform is teaching creationism alongside evolution and modifying the state’s science standards.

It is not the first time evolution has been an important issue. In 2000, a moderate majority was elected, after the board’s 1999 decision to de-emphasize evolution in the science standards, drawing international ridicule and raising questions about the quality of education in Kansas.

In 2001, the board again made evolution an important part of the science standards, but the subject will be broached early in 2005, when the board considers revisions.

Martin’s campaign materials portray the 58-year-old Wyatt as a Massachusetts lawyer who settled in Kansas and is pushing a pro-evolution agenda. Wyatt counters that he was born and raised in Kansas, lived in Massachusetts for a time, and returned to Kansas to raise his family in Salina.

“There is no question in my mind what her intention is,” Wyatt said, adding that Martin is downplaying evolution publicly to keep from drawing attention. “I prefer to deal with the facts, and people can draw their own conclusions.”

He believes the only place for creationism is in a social studies class, teaching about comparative beliefs.

Martin said evolution and creationism were two theories of the Earth’s origin that should be taught in science classrooms to give students a better perspective of all schools of thought. She said she didn’t understand why the media paid so much attention to the issue or why moderates were clinging to their position against creationism.

“There’s some good scientifically based theories. None should be taught as fact,” Martin said. “Let the students study and form their own opinions.”

Martin also is seeking more local control over how to meet student achievement goals and suggests the state should consider opting out of compliance with No Child Left Behind.

“It’s a wonderful idea, but it’s not very practical,” Martin said, adding that too much emphasis is placed on testing, creating undue pressure for students and teachers.

Martin and Abrams have been endorsed by the Kansas Republican Assembly, a conservative group that has influenced past State Board of Education and legislative elections. The two candidates reflect the assembly’s views of smaller government, no tax increases and more emphasis on teaching traditional values in Kansas classrooms.

Student achievement

However, in the Abrams-Aiken race, science standards take a back seat to improving student achievement.

Abrams, 54, has been on the board since 1995. Despite recent gains, Abrams said much work remained to improve student reading scores.

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“I’m happy that scores are trending up. In my mind there’s a long way to go,” Abrams said.

No Child Left Behind must be dealt with by states, but Abrams said a discussion about not complying with the law — and losing federal funds — was appropriate. He said Kansas had been making strides in student achievement, but meeting the goals of NCLB would be costly and difficult.

Abrams would like to see the board develop a new approach to keeping high school students focused on getting their diplomas and obtaining skills to prepare them for work or additional education. He envisions a hands-on program that gives students a real-world project involving technology that incorporates all disciplines and demonstrates the importance of completing high school.

“I think if we can do that, we are much more likely to be able to attract the interest of students,” he said. “We don’t have the ability to do that under current requirements and it’s going to take a change on the part of the board.”

Communication

Aiken, 47, has served 11 years on the Derby school board and is a member of the board of the Kansas Association of School Boards. He was a high school math teacher in the 1980s, now working in information systems at Boeing Co. in Wichita.

He said Abrams was not representing the views of the district and wanted to have better communication between the state board and local school officials.

“I view the state board’s role as to support the local boards,” Aiken said.

Aiken said ideological differences on the board were healthy, but in the end committees appointed by the board to develop curriculum standards must have clear direction from board members and be allowed to work independently.

Two other Republican incumbents, Sue Gamble of Shawnee, and Carol Rupe of Wichita, are unopposed. Democrat incumbent Bill Wagnon of Topeka, faces Republican Robert Meissner, also of Topeka.