Texas board OKs science curriculum compromise on evolution

Education Week American Education News Site of Record

Texas board OKs science curriculum compromise on evolution

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Board of Education has preliminarily approved revised science curriculums, inserting compromise language that critics say diffuses concerns about casting doubt on the theory of evolution.

In February, the board sided with a committee of teachers and experts that recommended scrapping previous requirements asking high school biology students to consider "all sides" of scientific theory. But it also adopted rules that they "evaluate scientific explanations" on the "complexity" of human cells and on the origin of DNA.

Amid concerns that could make students believe God helped create human life, the committee asked the board to endorse a compromise replacing "evaluate" with "compare and contrast" and "examine."

The board unanimously approved the change Wednesday. A final vote comes Friday.

Progressive groups cheered the move, saying it safeguards lessons on evolution.

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via Education Week American Education News Site of Record April 20, 2017 at 02:22AM
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