Posted: 03/28/2009 at 1:01pm
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Perhaps if educators can keep our children from hearing, reading and talking about weaknesses in evolution, they can remain at a 19th century level of understanding. | Texas Rejects Effort to Require Teaching of Evolution Weaknesses
by Terrence Stutz, The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN, TX - In a decision watched by science educators across the nation, the State Board of Education on Thursday narrowly turned aside a last-ditch effort by social conservatives to require that weaknesses in the theory of evolution be taught in science classes in Texas.
Board members deadlocked 7-7 on a motion to restore a longtime curriculum rule that strengths and weaknesses of all scientific theories – notably Charles Darwin's theory of evolution – be covered in science classes and textbooks for those subjects.
At one point in the meeting, evolution critics held up signs proclaiming, "Don't censor science."
Because the standards spell out what must be covered in textbooks, science educators and publishers have been monitoring the Texas debate closely. As one of the largest textbook purchasers in the nation, Texas influences what is sold in other states.
To view this article, click here.
Editor's Notes:
In a final vote Friday, the board refused to include the "strengths and weaknesses" language, but substituted a weaker requirement that teachers have students scrutinize all sides of evolution theories.
The Principle of Irreducible Complexity is a modern challenge to Darwin's naive understanding of cell mechanisms and processes. Read about it here.
Edited by News Editor on 03/28/2009 at 1:31pm
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