The State Board of Education gets and earful from people on both sides of how evolution should be taught in Texas. No one is saying evolution won’t be taught, the question is how to do you teach it, do you point out the strengths and weaknesses in the theory. UT Austin Professor Dr. Dan Bolnick. “What are these weaknesses? It’s difficult to go in front of the State Board and argue against weaknesses when they haven’t been specified.” LaTourneau University Professor Amiel Jarstfer says the current language of teaching strengths and weaknesses should stay in the science curriculum because that’s what makes good science. “The current language supports teachers and teacher preparation to have students critically evaluating all theories.” One fear is keeping the current language might open the door to teaching creationism in science class. Bolnick says if creationists want to do that they should get some scientific proof of creationism. “Creationists today have done no such thing. They haven’t earned a seat at the table. They haven’t earned a seat in the classroom.” Jarstfer says this isn’t about teaching creationism in science class. “I don’t think anyone is arguing to bring that material into the classroom. I believe this is focused on making sure that we are doing good science and we are teaching good science process.” The Board will take a preliminary vote on the curriculum standards tomorrow but they won’t be finalized until March.
KRLD Community Hero - 11/20/09
This week's KRLD Community Hero is a 7th grader who has created her own charity to help a local shelter, as well as an orphanage in Mexico.
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