Making Science Standards

Two members of the committe that produced the current science standards in Minnesota have written a summary of the process for the Florida Citizens for Science blog. The Minnesota experience is of interest to Floridians, because Cheri Pierson Yecke has been made our K-12 Chancellor.

I recommend that Floridians read this summary and ask yourselves just what it is you want taught in the science classroom. This is not a free speech issue, as some have claimed. The issue is the prescribed curriculum and the testing standards for science. I would like to suggest that the best means of determining what should be taught in the science classroom is by asking working scientists, and working from a consensus basis, i.e. that we should teach science that is as broadly accepted as possible. There is no need to teach every theory that is available in the High School classroom; there are proper scientific forums in which such things can be discussed, tested, and then perhaps become accepted science.

Now like it or not, the theory of evolution is broadly accepted and can be properly regarded as consensus science. I think those who advocate intelligent design should have plenty of opportunities to present their ideas, and in fact they do have such opportunities. I recently commented (ID on West Wing) that I have greater problems with the idea that science teachers will be teaching religion. Religion is much more difficult to test for quality and reliability than is science (perhaps I understate this!) and thus it is much more difficult to provide good standards for it.

Let’s continue to teach science in Florida’s science classrooms.