Southcentral Kentucky science teachers had mixed reviews for the Kentucky Department of Educations decision to stop teaching evolution in favor of teaching change over time. While some felt KDE officials made the right decision, others said they should have left the wording alone because it didnt affect subject content. Its not a big deal, said Rebecca Kemp, Logan County High School science department head and a 26-year veteran biology teacher. I teach that evolution is about change over time. KDE officials changed the wording during a last-minute editing session of its core content curriculum for middle schools and high schools because the word went against testing sensitivity guidelines, Associate Education Commissioner Linda Houghton said. The guidelines were designed to keep students from having to take a position on uncomfortable subjects such as death, divorce and the theory of evolution. The theory, which states that humans evolved from more primitive species, is opposed by some who believe it contradicts the Bibles story of Creation. The word was in the final draft of the curriculum when it was presented to the state Board of Education in August. KDE officials later changed the wording without teacher review. In a statement Tuesday, Education Commissioner Wilmer S. Cody said the name change wasnt substantive because it didnt change what students should know about scientific theory, including the theory of evolution. Henry Moss Middle School science teacher Sallie Carwell said officials made the right move in steering away from the word. Its a hot topic, Carwell said. (The word evolution) takes away from an honest discussion. By changing the word they lessen the blow and make it a more acceptable topic. Hot topic or not, KDE officials shouldnt make it a political issue, Kemp said. Its not a fact but a theory, she said. It shouldnt be political because its only there for students to understand it, not to believe it. My job is not to influence students religious beliefs. The core content curriculum outlines what the state education department thinks Kentucky students should know at various grade levels.