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The latest on the Texas science standards

For live blogging updates on the current debates over the Texas science standards, visit the blog of the Texas Freedom Network here.

This entry was posted on March 26, 2009 at 8:44 pm and is filed under Education, Evolution, Texas with tags , , , , , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “The latest on the Texas science standards”

  1. Michael Says:
    April 4, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    Texas Science Standards has been finally re-formulated, and voted on with success! The removal of the language of the “weaknesses” rule by replacing it with stronger language was absolutely brilliant! A victory for science in general.

    “In all fields of science, analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental observation and testing, including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those explanations so as to encourage critical thinking by the students.”

    Of course proponents of evolution namely the likes of Eugenie Scott, who is an Executive Director lobbyist group and most likely it’s agreeable to the author of this blog as well, she states…

    “This is a setback for science education in Texas, not a draw, not a victory.”

    Why would it be a setback? Isn’t analyzing and evaluating what science is basically all about and how scientists use this method in order to be able to come to their conclusions? Why would anyone want to deny students being able to critical think in all areas in science?

    Wouldn’t you want to know, that the seat belt in which you might wear while driving is safe enough to save your life in case of an accident? If someone comes up with a new drug or treatment in medicine, wouldn’t you want to have the new discoveries critically and thoroughly looked at for any for its drawbacks? You can say that with new advancements in airplanes. A friend of mine who I go to church with invented a safety valve for airplanes.

    Do you really think it would be unscientific to have language requiring students to analyze, evaluate, and critique the safety valve even though this safety valve has been tested and re-tested many times to be safe?

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