The reason you feel there isn't room for dissent, is because all reasonable alternatives to evolution have been considered and found lacking decades ago. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
Critics say the measure will enable K - 12 teachers to present intelligent design and creationism as acceptable alternatives to evolution in the classroom. (sciencemag.org)
Following events in both locations with much interest, I encountered many people who believe that I.D. is a viable scientific alternative to evolution, when thus far (at least) it has been only an interesting philosophical critique of the explanatory efficacy of Darwinian evolution. (firstthings.com)