Texas will allow high school students to critique Darwinian explanations. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
Joel Kontinen
The days of teaching evolution dogmatically are over in Texas high schools. Students will no longer be told what to think but they are expected to evaluate – yes, and even critique - the scientific evidence for evolution, including common ancestry, natural selection and mutations. They should "analyze, evaluate and critique scientific explanations…including examining all sides of scientific evidence… so as to encourage critical thinking by the student.”
According to the new science standards approved by the Texas Board of Education, students are encouraged to think critically:
“In all fields of science, analyze, evaluate and critique scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those scientific explanations so as to encourage critical thinking by the student."
Students are also expected to analyse and evaluate scientific explanations for the fossil record and the complexity of the cell.
Darwinists have decried the decision as a ploy to introduce creationism into science classes. However, the truth is somewhat different. As Dr. John West of Discovery Institute explained, “Texas has sent a clear message that evolution should be taught as a scientific theory open to critical scrutiny, not as a sacred dogma that can't be questioned”.
Sources:
Simon, Stephanie. 2009. Texas Opens Classroom Door for Evolution Doubts. Wall Street Journal (27 March)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123819751472561761.html
Smith, Anika. 2009. Texas Improves on Strengths and Weaknesses Language in Science Standards on Teaching Evolution. Evolution News and Views. (27 March). You can read it here.
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