MO HB1651

Requires state board of education and school officials to create an environment encouraging students to explore scientific questions, learn scientific evidence, and develop critical thinking skills regarding evolution and other controversial issues.

Prohibits state board of education, school governing authorities, superintendents, administrators, and principals from preventing teachers from helping students analyze the scientific strengths and weaknesses of biological and chemical evolution in objective manner.

Limits the section's scope to teaching scientific information only, explicitly stating it does not promote philosophical naturalism, biblical theology, natural or intelligent causes, atheistic or theistic beliefs, or discrimination based on religious beliefs.

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to notify all public school superintendents of these provisions no later than the start of the 2010-2011 school year, with superintendents required to disseminate the section to all employees.