By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-827914.mp3
Dallas, TX – A proposed change in the way evolution is taught in Texas classrooms brought dozens of people to the State Board of Education offices today. KERA's BJ Austin says the new science curriculum standards would delete a requirement that the "strengths AND weaknesses" of scientific theories be taught.
The new rules would drop the words "strength and weaknesses" in classroom instruction of evolution and require instead "analyze and evaluate." Lee Wagstaff, a middle school science teacher, urged the Board to keep the old language.
Wagstaff: No theory, model or hypothesis has earned the right to become a sacred cow, and fly under the radar of scrutiny. If the strengths and weaknesses language is allowed to be changed, that is indeed the direction we are headed.
But science textbook writer, Julie Burwald urged the State Board of Education to approve the new language in the interest of "science".
Burwald: Alternative theories that attempt to explain the diversity of species on this planet, and the origin of life, are simply not testable, and therefore not science. These ideas do not belong in science books.
The Board will discuss the science curriculum standards tomorrow, and vote on Friday.