To the editor:

I have twice been quoted in the Lawrence Journal-World in recent weeks. The first time I was misquoted. The second time my statements were presented in a manner that made misinterpretation probable.

On April 17, I was quoted as saying that “evolution is the underlying piece of biology.” What I said, and what I firmly believe, is that “evolution is the underlying centerpiece of biology.”

In a May 11 article, under the subheading “Teachers tread lightly,” I was quoted as saying that I try not to be too aggressive in my teaching of evolution. I do, indeed, think that it is important to respect the beliefs of all my students. I do believe that confrontation and insensitivity can only inhibit learning. However, the story clearly implied that I minimize the importance of evolution in my classroom because I may be “intimidated into trying to bypass the topic.” I have been teaching biology in the Lawrence School District for 18 years. I have made evolution the central, unifying framework of my teaching in every single one of those years.

This view of life is held by scientists throughout the world. It is what I teach. It also is mandated by the current Kansas science standards and the Lawrence school district biology curriculum.

Sandy Collins,

Lawrence