Texas Board of Education Weighs Validity of Science That Supports Evoutionary Knowledge

The battle between creationists and the supporters of Darwinianism can be boiled down to whether a textbook;

which includes the wording "strengths and weaknesses" as standards for teaching high school students creationism, intelligent design and evolution on an equal basis.

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It has been learned that: "A closely watched effort to keep a 20-year-old requirement that Texas public high school students evaluate the "strengths and weaknesses" of scientific theories, including evolution, failed Thursday in a 7-7 vote by the State Board of Education," effectively ending the effort of the coalition of anti-Darwinist forces who sought to keep the "strengths and weaknesses" language in the high school classrooms.

"Supporters of evolution had assailed the 20-year-old "strengths and weaknesses" clause as a back door to teaching biblical creationism, while evolution-only critics spoke of weaknesses in Darwinian theory."

Eugenie C. Scott of the National Center for Science Education talks with Geraldine Miller and is shown answering how the inclusion of the "strengths and weaknesses" argument could adversely affect the content of textbooks produced in Texas and used throughout the southern portion of the United States including California.

The issues and the subsequent vote were so complicated and controversial, that a number of different news organizations reported differing views the final vote:

"The 13-2 vote removes current requirements that students be taught the “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theories. Instead, teachers will be required to have students scrutinize “all sides” of scientific theories, a move criticized by evolution proponents." (The Austin American-Statesman)

"The Texas Board of Education voted today by a 13-to-2 margin to change controversial language in the state's curriculum, making it harder for creationism to creep into public classrooms. For the past 20 years, the state's curriculum has instructed teachers to present the "strengths and weaknesses" of scientific theories, opening the door to non-scientific, faith-based alternatives." (The Scientific American)

"Social conservatives lost another skirmish over evolution Friday when the State Board of Education stripped two provisions from proposed science standards that would have raised questions about key principles of the theory of evolution." (The Dallas Morning News)

"After six hours of often mind-numbing debate, the State Board of Education has mercifully passed a final version of new science standards that will guide the content of science textbooks and curriculum for the next decade." (The Texas Observer)

"In a string of amendments proposed after the compromise, the board adopted subtle changes that critics say cast a shadow over key tenets of the theory of evolution — natural selection and common ancestry."

"The document still has plenty of potential footholds for creationist attacks on evolution to make their way into Texas classrooms," said Kathy Miller, president of the watchdog group Texas Freedom Network. "Through a series of contradictory and convoluted amendments, the board crafted a road map that creationists will use to pressure publishers into putting phony arguments attacking established science into textbooks."

"We appreciate that the politicians on the board seek compromise, but don't agree that compromises can be made on established mainstream science or on honest education policy."

"Federal courts have ruled against teaching creationism and the similar theory of intelligent design in public schools."

"Supporters of the changes applauded efforts to encourage critical thinking in science classrooms.