Russell F. Williams II, 65
Hagerstown
What is your position on science education, particularly with regard to evolution vs. intelligent design?
Knowledge of the physical sciences and the scientific method are a lifetime protection for our students. Daily people are bombarded with ads for new methods to lose weight, increase in gas mileage, stop aging, or get relief from pain and disease. People who have not learned what a good scientific study is will be taken in by these often worthless products and treatments. Students should be taught that testimonials are worthless in evaluating a product. All students should have a clear understanding of what constitutes a random population, the Hawthorne effect, and what is involved in a double-blind study.
Do you support mandating school uniforms for public school students?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of uniforms?
Advantages: Standardization of dress and fewer violations of clothing rules, less teasing of students wearing hand-me-downs, less evaluation of students based on their clothing. Disadvantages: Difficulty acquiring all sizes, some parents will object to uniforms, lawyers may get involved, initial difficulty acquiring used uniforms, students can still tease each other about other dress items, harder to determine at a distance who violated behavior rules. Everything considered, I believe the disadvantages of uniforms outweigh the advantages, therefore, I am currently against uniforms.
