TEA’s Science Proposed Science Curriculum Faces Opposition From Rightwing State Board Of Education
By Vince Leibowitz on Sep 24, 2008 in State Board of Education, Texas Education ![[Post to Twitter]](/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-twitter.png){kind=icon}
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Yesterday, the Texas Education Agency released an early recommendation for the state’s new science curriculum. The new version would remove from current curriculum the requirement that “strengths and weaknesses” of all scientific theories–including and especially the theory of evolution–be taught.
For Texas students, that’s a great thing. However, the rightwingers on the State Board of Education, the elected body that has the final say over the curriculum standards, are already bracing for a fight.
Don McLeroy (R-Bryan), the chair of the SBOE has already come out fighting with some pretty stupid justifications behind the rightwing’s side of the battle:
“I’d argue it doesn’t make sense scientifically to take it out,” Don McLeroy, R-Bryan, the state board chairman, said of removing the “strengths and weaknesses” language. “Evolution shouldn’t have anything to worry about — if there’s no weaknesses, there’s no weaknesses. But if there’s scientifically testable explanations out there to refute it, shouldn’t those be included too?”
Translated into English, McLeroy is saying it doesn’t make scientific sense to teach Texas public school children that the theory of evolution is scientifically sound.
More on the “strenghts and weaknesses” doctrine:
Though the “strengths and weaknesses” verbiage has been in the Texas curriculum standards for nearly 20 years, the board has not had the votes to require that any specific challenges to evolutionary theory be taught. That could change with the current curriculum revision, a process that only takes place every 10 years. In previous public discussions, seven of 15 board members appeared to support, on some level, the teaching of the weaknesses of evolution in science classrooms.
There are presently two swing votes, Geraldine “Tincy” Miller of Dallas, a Republican, and Rick Agosto, a San Antonio Democrat. That’s one more reason it is important to elect Democrats like Edra Bogle (D-Denton) and Laura Ewing (D-Houston) to the SBOE this cycle.
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It’s amazing how Mr. Leibowitz feels he must translate what Mr. McLeroy says from English into English. It’s even more amazing just how wrong he got it! I speak, read, write and understand English just fine, Mr. Leibowitz – no distortion-filled “translations” needed.