In 1999, the Kansas State Board of Education, with a conservative majority (which included Abrams [chairman of the current Board]), deleted most references to evolution in the science standards. The next election led to a less conservative board, which adopted the current standards describing evolution as a key concept for students to learn before graduating high school.
Last year, conservatives captured a majority again, and many scientists fear the board will adopt revisions supported by intelligent design advocates. The conservative majority includes the three subcommittee members, Abrams; Kathy Martin [who admitted during day one of the "trial" that she hadn't read the arguments presented in defense of evolution "word for word", eliciting groans from some in the audience], of Clay Center, and Connie Morris, of St. Francis.