Topeka ? Conservative members of the Kansas State Board of Education who question the validity of evolution theory today opened up a new hearing process for concerns about science standards in public schools.

Board Chairman Steve Abrams of Arkansas City said the purpose of the new process was to try to gather more information on the disputes over evolution.

But moderates on the board said the conservatives were hijacking the process of developing science standards in order to de-emphasize the teaching of evolution.

Board member Carol Rupe of Wichita said the new hearing process would mean science standards would be developed as the result of popularity contest like the television show American Idol.

A committee of 26 science experts have been developing new science standards to be used in Kansas schools.

Under Abrams’ move, three conservative board members were appointed to be a state board science committee, which will hold hearings on two opposing views of science standards.

In other state board of education news, Commissioner Andy Tompkins announced he is resigning.