By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The state's disclaimer on evolution in its science guidelines helped it get the failing grade in the study released Wednesday. The study compares school science standards for primary and secondary school students. Alabama was one of 15 states that failed and one of 13 others whose standards on evolution flunked the review, called ``The State of the State Science Standards 2005.'' The institute reviewed standards in all states except Iowa, which doesn't have published statewide guidelines. Nine states and the District of Columbia received a ``C'' and 19 states earned ``A'' or ``B'' grades. California ranked highest in the nation. Alabama ranked 42nd. A panel of scientists conducted the study for the Washington-based nonprofit Thomas B. Fordham Institute. The last time Fordham conducted the same study was in 2000, when Alabama received a ``D.''