Texas Board of Ed Omits Criticism of Darwinism

Board feared that critique of evolution would eventually lead to teaching science without prejudice

-- From "State Board of Education votes to drop evolution 'weaknesses' from Texas science curriculum" by Terrence Stutz, The Dallas Morning News 1/22/09

In a major defeat for evolution critics, a sharply divided State Board of Education voted 7-7 on Thursday to follow the advice of a panel of science educators and drop a long-time requirement that “weaknesses” in the theory of evolution be taught in high school science classes.

Under the science curriculum standards tentatively adopted by the board, biology teachers and biology textbooks would no longer have to cover the “strengths and weaknesses” of Charles Darwin’s theory on how humans evolved.

Rep. Barbara Cargill, R-The Woodlands, who supported the weaknesses requirement, said there have been “significant challenges” to the theory of evolution and she cited a recent news article in which a European scientist disputed Darwin’s “tree of life” showing common ancestors for all living things.

Board member Ken Mercer, R-San Antonio, who also supported the requirement, described the debate as a battle about “academic freedom” and “freedom of speech” over whether students can thoroughly examine evolution.

“The other side has a history of fraud,” he said. “Those arguing against us have a bad history of lies.”

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