AUSTIN, Texas (BP)--Should students in public schools be taught science by examining the strengths and weaknesses in evolution, or should they be taught only the materialistic/naturalistic strengths of evolution?
 | | Darwin supporter Ernst Haeckel contrived a diagram purporting to show similarities in embryo development of dogs, bats, rabbits and humans. Although debunked, it has been widely published in science textbooks. Graphic from answersingenesis.org |
That question is creating a firestorm of controversy at the Texas State Board of Education and drawing attention as the nation watches to see what Texas does.
The board held a hearing on the issue Nov. 19; a second SBOE hearing and an initial vote are slated for January.
The SBOE has been moving to retain the teaching of pros and cons of scientific theories such as evolution as part of its 10-year review of the state's science standards, which have been in place since 1998.
SBOE chairman Don McLeroy, prior to the hearing, had noted that contrary to allegations, the state board is not seeking to introduce religion into the science classrooms, nor is it requiring supernatural explanations in the textbooks.
"We are responsible for adopting TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), which are the minimum expectations that students need to know," McLeroy said. "We are not asking for Intelligent Design or creationism to be taught in public schools. We are saying, Let's keep the 'strengths and weaknesses' clause in the TEKS." Read More
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