“Teach the Controversy” is now the law in Texas. This is a huge win, because the science standards in Texas will influence the science standards of other states, since Texas dominates the science textbook market.
Here’s a brief excerpt about the decision from Evolution News:
Today, the Texas Board of Education chose science over dogma and adopted science standards improving on the old “strengths and weaknesses” language by requiring students to “critique” and examine “all sides of scientific evidence.” In addition, the Board—for the first time— specifically required high school students to “analyze and evaluate” the evidence for major evolutionary concepts such as common ancestry, natural selection, and mutations.
The new science standards mark a significant victory for scientists and educators in favor of teaching the scientific evidence for and against evolution.
…The science standards approved today by the Texas State Board of Education include language requiring students to “analyze, evaluate and critique scientific explanations…including examining all sides of scientific evidence… so as to encourage critical thinking by the student.” Equally important, the high school biology standards now require students to “analyze and evaluate” the scientific evidence for key parts of evolutionary theory, including common ancestry, natural selection, and mutations.
More here at the Evolution News blog:
- More details on the significant changes that will result from the decision
- Details on the arguments made by the politicians on the pro-metaphysical-naturalism side
- Details on the arguments made by the Ph.D biologists on the pro-critical-thinking side
UPDATE: Discovery Institute Fellow John West has a piece in the Washington Post.
Filed under: News, Academic Freedom, Critical Thinking, Discovery Institute, Education, Evolution, Intelligent Design, Liberty, Teach the Controversy, Teaching Standards, Texas School Board, Textbook Standards
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