Alarm Bells Are Ringing: Creationists Get Influential Positions in Texas Science Textbook Review

[muriel_volestrangler]

It looks like the Lone Star State’s reputation as a hotbed of anti-science fanaticism is about to be reinforced. At least six creationists/”intelligent design” proponents succeeded in getting invited to review high school biology textbooks that publishers have submitted for adoption in Texas this year. The State Board of Education (SBOE) will decide in November which textbooks to approve. Those textbooks could be in the state’s public school science classrooms for nearly a decade.

Among the six creationist reviewers are some of the nation’s leading opponents of teaching students that evolution is established, mainstream science and is overwhelmingly supported by well over a century of research. Creationists on the SBOE nominated those six plus five others also invited by the Texas Education Agency to serve on the biology review teams. We have been unable to determine what those other five reviewers think about evolution.

Although 28 individuals got invites to review the proposed new biology textbooks this year, only about a dozen have shown up in Austin this week for the critical final phase of that review. That relatively small overall number of reviewers could give creationists even stronger influence over textbook content. In fact, publishers are making changes to their textbooks based on objections they hear from the review panelists. And that’s happening essentially behind closed doors because the public isn’t able to monitor discussions among the review panelists themselves or between panelists and publishers. The public won’t know about publishers’ changes (or the names of all the review panelists who are in Austin this week) until probably September. Alarm bells are ringing.
...
If you want students to learn real science in their science classrooms — not discredited creationist arguments that will leave them unprepared for college and the jobs of the 21st century — then join thousands of Texans who have signed our Stand Up for Science petition here. The Texas Freedom Network will keep you informed about the textbook adoption this year and what you can do to stop anti-science fanatics from undermining the education of Texas kids.

http://tfninsider.org/2013/07/30/alarm-bells-are-ringing-creationists-get-influential-positions-in-texas-science-textbook-review/

[cbayer]

1. That is very bad news.

I was hoping that TX was going to see the light on this and begin to turn around.

Only 12 out of 28 reviewers even showed up?? You know, Texas needs to wake up or they are going to get what they deserve. I hope this petition is widely circulated and that the citizens participate.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. I think 'showed up' may mean 'came in person to answer questions'

rather than "sent in their comments". In a normal review process, you might think sending in a written opinion would be enough, but Texas textbook reviews sound extremely political, so I think the worry is that the creationists will do all they can to denigrate the non-creationists who aren't there. We don't know how far these reviewers would have to come, of course.

I've cross-posted in the Texas Group. From what I've heard, Texas textbook standards influence a lot of the rest of the country, because it's the 2nd biggest state by population, and California isn't so proscriptive about its textbooks.

[cbayer]

5. There was also an article posted recently about a coalition of states that

are working together on textbook approval. One of their goals is to make sure that science texts teach science, not religion. They are likely to have a lot of sway and can, perhaps, mitigate some of the damage that may be done by Texas.

Anyway, kudos to anyone that shines light on this. They are used to working in the dark, unnoticed by the general population until it is too late.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. I ought to give credit to Fred Clark, on whose blog I saw this

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2013/08/05/7-things-11-oclock-8-5/

He's well worth reading for all things religious.

[cbayer]

9. I like him too. I hadn't seen the "seven things" before but it looks like it is worth following.

Thanks for the link.

[nykym]

2. What we really need to do

is convince other state education boards that these textbooks are flawed and should not be purchased.
Petitions are great for getting the ball rolling, but nothing stops a movement quicker than tightening the purse strings.

[okasha]

4. Signed.

The SBOE itself is saner than it has been in a long time, but the creationist members are still aggressive. The really fundamental reform in the last few years, however, allows individual school districts to choose their own texts, so that the creationists will have much reduced influence in large metropolitan markets like Austin, San Antonio, Houston. Dallas will probably go conservative, though.

[cbayer]

6. Good to have an inside report on this.

I do recall you saying that it looked like things were turning around on the board. I hope the newer members can take a strong stand.

Even if districts can go outside the recommendation, that doesn't have nearly the impact of the SBOE approving texts I would think.

[Arkansas Granny]

7. I've seen several good reports on this lately on PBS. Here's a list of some of the videos

Last edited Thu Aug 8, 2013, 03:43 PM - Edit history (1)

available that address this problem.

http://www.pbs.org/search/?q=texas%20textbooks

[cbayer]

10. I think you forgot your link.

I've also seen some good stuff on PBS about this. Bill Moyers has had some excellent episodes as well.

[Arkansas Granny]

11. Thanks. Fixed it.