After months of debate, the Texas Board of Education voted in March on state science standards--and the results weren't pretty. The board amended the Biology and Earth and Space Sciences standards with loopholes and language that make it easy for creationists to attack science textbooks. "The final vote was a triumph of ideology and politics over science," said Dr. Eugenie C. Scott, NCSE executive director. The only upside: two months later, Board chair Don McLeroy was not reconfirmed by the Texas state senate.
"Science setback for Texas schools"
"Creationist board chair out in Texas"
2. Louisiana Faces "Academic Freedom"
In 2008, the Louisiana Science Education Act was signed into law, which opened the door to teaching creationism in public school science classes. Since then, the state board of education has ignored the recommendations of its own science education professionals, turning instead to the Louisiana Family Forum for guidance. Under the board's guidelines, supplementary classroom materials can't be rejected just because they include creationism. And challenging the materials triggers a convoluted hearing process that the Louisiana Coalition for Science calls "seriously flawed."
"A mixed result in Louisiana"
"More bad news from Louisiana"
3. Antievolution bills go down in flames
Although Louisiana passed an antievolution “academic freedom” act in 2008, antievolution bills introduced elsewhere in 2009 quickly died in committee. One Florida bill would have required a "thorough presentation and critical analysis of the scientific theory of evolution." A Mississippi bill would have mandated warning stickers on biology textbooks. A Texas bill would have exempted creationist institutions, such as the Institute for Creation Research's graduate school, from meeting Texas's regulations governing degree-granting institutions. All told, bills were introduced in eight states. None survived.
Chronology of "Academic Freedom" Bills
"Academic Freedom" Bills by State & Year
4. How is evolution treated in your state's science standards?
TheNational Center for Science Education decided to find out. Education Project Director Dr. Louise Mead and Project Director Anton Mates pored over standards in all 50 states to evaluate their treatment of evolution and related scientific topics. There was a lot of good news and some not-so-good news (5 states flunked).
"Evolving standards"
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