Official Texas Review: "Creation Science" Should Be Incorporated Into Every Biology Textbook

[babylonsister]

Official Texas Review: "Creation Science" Should Be Incorporated Into Every Biology Textbook

—By Josh Harkinson
| Wed Sep. 11, 2013 3:00 AM PDT



Behind closed doors, textbook reviewers appointed by the Texas State Board of Education are pushing to inject creationism into teaching materials that will be adopted statewide in high schools this year, according to new documents obtained by watchdog groups. Records show that the textbook reviewers made ideological objections to material on evolution and climate change in science textbooks from at least seven publishers, including several of the nation's largest publishing houses. Failing to obtain a review panel's top rating can make it harder for publishers to sell their textbooks to school districts, and can even lead the state to reject the books altogether.

"Once again, culture warriors in the state board are putting Texas at risk of becoming a national laughingstock on science education," said Kathy Miller, the president of the Texas Freedom Network, a nonprofit group that monitors religious extremists and "far-right issues." TFN and the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) obtained the review panel documents in response to a state open-records request.

What's more, because Texas has one of the nation's largest public school systems, publishers tend to tailor their textbooks for that market and then sell the same texts to the rest of America.

Here are five striking examples of comments submitted to publishers by the state review panels urging them to water down scientific teachings.

One reviewer directly implored the textbook companies Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Scientific Minds to teach "creation science":

I understand the National Academy of Science's {sic} strong support of the theory of evolution. At the same time, this is a theory. As an educator, parent, and grandparent, I feel very firmly that "creation science" based on Biblical principles should be incorporated into every Biology book that is up for adoption.

A reviewer of publisher Glencoe/McGraw-Hill's textbook objected to a passage on the fossil evidence for evolution—despite a consensus among scientists:

Text neglects to tell students that no transitional fossils have been discovered. The fossil record can be interpreted in other ways than evolutionary with equal justification. Text should ask students to analyze and compare alternative theories.

more...

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/09/creationist-science-texas-textbook-review-evolution-climate-change

[man4allcats]

1. Creationism is a faith based doctrine and therefore not falsifiable.

Because it is not falsifiable, it is not science.

It therefore does not belong in a science text.

End of story.

[mindwalker_i]

8. Don't confuse the issue with facts

Normally, that would be a sort of tongue-and-cheek comment, but in this case I'm completely serious.

[Bolo Boffin]

2. Every fossil is a transitional fossil. n/t

[AlinPA]

3. Next: Throw out the science books and go with the Old Testament for everything.

Did I read somewhere that a noticeable number of scientists are leaving the U.S.? I'm losing hope for America's education systems.

[Solly Mack]

4. Idiots.

[Sunlei]

5. Texas is decades behind the rest of the world. They spend a fortune on their

stupid 7 year text book cycle with all the meetings to re-write BASIC SCIENCE.

Huge disservice to the public education system, squandering of our Federal and State taxpayer money.

[surrealAmerican]

6. These people are reviewing science textbooks ...

... and still don't know what the word "theory" means in this context? They can't have been reading very much of the content of those textbooks.

Here's a clue: "creation science" doesn't come up to the level of theory - it's mythology, and should be taught in a "comparative religions" class, not a science class.

[RainDog]

7. The reviewer is too stupid to know what a scientific theory is

and, like that dumbass racist homophobe, Reagan, conflates scientific theory with... hey, I have an idea!

Until right wing religious idiots are removed from positions of power, this nation will continue to be harmed by them.

[mindwalker_i]

9. Can we just build a fence around Texas?

At least a cultural fence?

[geek tragedy]

10. Only if it incorporates Oklahoma too. nt