School leader resigns over science memo

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The head of the Texas Education Agency's science curriculum alleges she was forced to resign because of a memo about a talk on intelligent design.

Chris Comer told The Austin American-Statesman she resigned after being accused of creating the appearance of bias against teaching intelligent design. Documents obtained by the newspaper show that agency officials recommended firing Comer for repeated acts of misconduct and insubordination.

The newspaper said Comer was placed on administrative leave after she forwarded an e-mail last month announcing a presentation being given by Barbara Forrest, author of a book that says creationist politics are behind the movement to get intelligent design theory taught in public schools.

A memo from agency officials said Comer's e-mail implies the agency "endorses the speaker's position on a subject on which the agency must remain neutral."

The State Board of Education is set to begin reviewing the science portion of the statewide curriculum that will be used to determine what should be taught in Texas classrooms and what textbooks are bought.