Pop the champagne corks. The Texas Board of Education has unanimously
come down on the side of evolution. In a 14-0 vote, the board today
approved scientifically accurate high school biology textbook
supplements from established mainstream publishers — and did not approve
the creationist-backed supplements from International Databases, LLC.
"This is a huge victory for Texas students and teachers," said Josh
Rosenau, NCSE programs and policy director, who testified at the
hearings this week. In his testimony, Rosenau urged the board to approve
the supplements — recommended by a review panel largely composed of
scientists and science educators — without amendments, and to reject
International Databases' creationist submission. The board did just that, and asked for only minimal changes to the approved supplements.
In hearings yesterday, NCSE members and allies showed up in force. At
least four times as many people testified in favor of the supplements
as written, versus those opposing the supplements or demanding
significant changes.
One hot button: the supplement from Holt McDougal. A creationist
member of the review panel released a list of Holt's supposed errors
involving evolution and common descent. But in today's hearing, the
Texas Education Agency pointed out that the full membership of the
review panel had not signed off on the list.
Ultimately, the board approved the Holt supplement, and directed
Commissioner of Education Robert Scott to review the list of supposed
errors, and to develop amended language for Holt to incorporate. NCSE
and Texas education groups are confident Scott's revisions will reflect
the current state of evolutionary biology, and not any creationist
alternatives.
Dr. Eugenie Scott, NCSE's Executive Director, is celebrating the
decision. "These supplements reflect the overwhelming scientific
consensus that evolution is the core of modern biology, and is a central
and vital concept in any biology class. That these supplements were
adopted unanimously reflects a long overdue change in the board. I
commend the board for its refusal to politicize science education."
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