Some UT Austin graduate students and faculty testified in front of the Texas State Board of Education as board members deliberated about language in high school science curriculum pertaining to evolution.
The board of education commissioned a committee of educators and administrators to review the high school science curriculum. The committee proposed the removal of language which required "examining all sides" of evidence in addition to evolution.
Graduate student in evolutionary biology Emma Dietrich said that many students coming from Texas public high schools sometimes struggle with evolution in their college biology classes because of confusion created by the high school curriculum standards.
Professor of molecular biosciences Arturo De Lozanne encouraged the board to heed the committee, saying that "the establishment of our educational goals should not be based on opinion polls but on the expertise of those who are intimately engaged with our students and with the content being taught."
To see more about the discussion:
- Critics say easing state standards opens door to creationism in schools – KXAN
- How evolution is taught in Texas high school classrooms up for debate – Austin American Statesman
- Board of Ed prepares to vote on evolution science standards – The Texas Tribune
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