Texas Board Moves Closer to New Science Standards

[underpants]

Source: NY Times

Filed at 6:46 a.m. ET

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The State Board of Education moved a step closer to dropping a 20-year-old science curriculum requirement that critics say is used to undermine the theory of evolution.

After two days of heated debate, the board made a key vote Friday in favor of dropping a mandate that teachers address both ''strengths and weaknesses'' of scientific theory.

A panel of science teachers had recommended that the language be dropped, suggesting instead that students be required to analyze and evaluate scientific explanations.

The new standards the board ultimately approves -- a final vote on the curriculum proposal is not expected until March -- will be in place for the next decade. They also will dictate how publishers handle the topic of evolution in textbooks.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/01/24/us/AP-Science-Curriculum-Evolution.html