NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal that protects teachers in Tennessee from being disciplined for allowing students to critique scientific theories – such as evolution – is headed for a full House vote.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville passed the House Education Committee on a voice vote Tuesday and will now be scheduled for a vote on the House floor.

Geology professor Molly Miller of Vanderbilt University said the proposal is unnecessary and would "hurt ... students who need to learn science if they're going to be able to compete."

Rep. John Deberry, a Memphis Democrat and minister, took offense at Miller's comments, saying it was "totally anti-American" for her "to make a determination to what everybody else thinks."

Online: Read HB0368/SB0893 at www.capitol.tn.gov.

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