91ƬƵ

Curriculum News in Brief

Draft Texas Science Standards Remove Language Irking Scientists

By Sean Cavanagh — September 30, 2008 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

A of new Texas state science standards removes language that says students should understand the “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theories and hypotheses in biology, such as the theory of evolution—terminology that has rankled many scientists.

Critics say that language, found in the current standards, wrongly suggests that the theory of evolution should be viewed skeptically, when in fact it is one of the best-established theories in all of biology.

The draft document was completed by a committee of parents, business leaders, employers, and others.

The Texas state board of education is expected to discuss the draft in November, and a final vote on the proposed document could occur in March, said Suzanne Marchman, a spokeswoman for the Texas 91ƬƵ Agency.

A version of this article appeared in the October 01, 2008 edition of 91ƬƵ Week

Events

Recruitment & Retention Webinar Keep Talented Teachers and Improve Student Outcomes
Keep talented teachers and unlock student success with strategic planning based on insights from Apple 91ƬƵ and educational leaders. 
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of 91ƬƵ Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Families & the Community Webinar
Family Engagement: The Foundation for a Strong School Year
Learn how family engagement promotes student success with insights from National PTA, AASA and leading districts and schools.  
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of 91ƬƵ Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Special 91ƬƵ Webinar
How Early Adopters of Remote Therapy are Improving IEPs
Learn how schools are using remote therapy to improve IEP compliance & scalability while delivering outcomes comparable to onsite providers.
Content provided by 

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

Curriculum Opinion There’s a Better Way to Teach Digital Citizenship
Many popular resources for digital-citizenship education only focus on good online behavior. That’s a problem.
Alexandra Thrall & T. Philip Nichols
5 min read
digital citizenship computer phone 1271520062
solarseven/iStock/Getty
Curriculum Letter to the Editor Christian Nationalism vs. Spirituality in America’s Schools
A retired teacher responds to the Oklahoma state schools superintendent's guidance on teaching the Bible in public schools in the state.
1 min read
91ƬƵ Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for 91ƬƵ Week
Curriculum How Oklahoma's Superintendent Wants Schools to Teach the Bible
Oklahoma's state superintendent directed schools to teach the Bible and to place a copy in every classroom.
4 min read
A hand holding a magnifying glass hovers over a Bible opened to the Ten Commandments.
Marinela Malcheva/iStock/Getty
Curriculum Should the Bible Be Taught in Public Schools?
Are recent pushes to include the Bible about cultural literacy—or a pretext for politicians who want Christianity in public schools?
10 min read
bible lying on a school desk with a lesson plan and calendar
tamaw/E+