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Biology textbook hearings prompt science disputes [Texas]
Knight Ridder Newspapers ^ | 08 July 2003 | MATT FRAZIER

Posted on 07/09/2003 12:08:32 PM PDT by PatrickHenry

FORT WORTH, Texas - (KRT) -
The long-running debate over the origins of mankind continues Wednesday before the Texas State Board of Education, and the result could change the way science is taught here and across the nation.

Local and out-of-state lobbying groups will try to convince the board that the next generation of biology books should contain new scientific evidence that reportedly pokes holes in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Many of those groups say that they are not pushing to place a divine creator back into science books, but to show that Darwin's theory is far from a perfect explanation of the origin of mankind.

"It has become a battle ground," said Eugenie Scott, executive director of theNational Center of Science Education, which is dedicated to defending the teaching of evolution in the classroom.

Almost 45 scientists, educators and special interest groups from across the state will testify at the state's first public hearing this year on the next generation of textbooks for the courses of biology, family and career studies and English as a Second Language.

Approved textbooks will be available for classrooms for the 2004-05 school year. And because Texas is the second largest textbook buyer in the nation, the outcome could affect education nationwide.

The Texas Freedom Network and a handful of educators held a conference call last week to warn that conservative Christians and special interest organizations will try to twist textbook content to further their own views.

"We are seeing the wave of the future of religious right's attack on basic scientific principles," said Samantha Smoot, executive director of the network, an anti-censorship group and opponent of the radical right.

Those named by the network disagree with the claim, including the Discovery Institute and its Science and Culture Center of Seattle.

"Instead of wasting time looking at motivations, we wish people would look at the facts," said John West, associate director of the center.

"Our goal nationally is to encourage schools and educators to include more about evolution, including controversies about various parts of Darwinian theory that exists between even evolutionary scientists," West said. "We are a secular think tank."

The institute also is perhaps the nation's leading proponent of intelligent design - the idea that life is too complex to have occurred without the help of an unknown, intelligent being.

It pushed this view through grants to teachers and scientists, including Michael J. Behe, professor of biological sciences at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. The Institute receives millions of dollars from philanthropists and foundations dedicated to discrediting Darwin's theory.

The center sent the state board a 55-page report that graded 11 high school biology textbooks submitted for adoption. None earned a grade above a C minus. The report also includes four arguments it says show that evolutionary theory is not as solid as presented in biology textbooks.

Discovery Institute Fellow Raymond Bohlin, who also is executive director of Probe Ministries, based in Richardson, Texas, will deliver that message in person Wednesday before the State Board of Education. Bohlin has a doctorate degree in molecular cell biology from the University of Texas at Dallas.

"If we can simply allow students to see that evolution is not an established fact, that leaves freedom for students to pursue other ideas," Bohlin said. "All I can do is continue to point these things out and hopefully get a group that hears and sees relevant data and insist on some changes."

The executive director of Texas Citizens for Science, Steven Schafersman, calls the institute's information "pseudoscience nonsense." Schafersman is an evolutionary scientist who, for more than two decades, taught biology, geology, paleontology and environmental science at a number of universities, including the University of Houston and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

"It sounds plausible to people who are not scientifically informed," Schafersman said. "But they are fraudulently trying to deceive board members. They might succeed, but it will be over the public protests of scientists."

The last time Texas looked at biology books, in 1997, the State Board of Education considered replacing them all with new ones that did not mention evolution. The board voted down the proposal by a slim margin.

The state requires that evolution be in textbooks. But arguments against evolution have been successful over the last decade in other states. Alabama, New Mexico and Nebraska made changes that, to varying degrees, challenge the pre-eminence of evolution in the scientific curriculum.

In 1999, the Kansas Board of Education voted to wash the concepts of evolution from the state's science curricula. A new state board has since put evolution back in. Last year, the Cobb County school board in Georgia voted to include creationism in science classes.

Texas education requirements demand that textbooks include arguments for and against evolution, said Neal Frey, an analyst working with perhaps Texas' most famous textbook reviewers, Mel and Norma Gabler.

The Gablers, of Longview, have been reviewing Texas textbooks for almost four decades. They describe themselves as conservative Christians. Some of their priorities include making sure textbooks include scientific flaws in arguments for evolution.

"None of the texts truly conform to the state's requirements that the strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories be presented to students," Frey said.

The Texas textbook proclamation of 2001, which is part of the standard for the state's curriculum, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, requires that biology textbooks instruct students so they may "analyze, review and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weakness using scientific evidence and information."

The state board is empowered to reject books only for factual errors or for not meeting the state's curriculum requirements. If speakers convince the state board that their evidence is scientifically sound, members may see little choice but to demand its presence in schoolbooks.

Proposed books already have been reviewed and approved by Texas Tech University. After a public hearing Wednesday and another Sept. 10, the state board is scheduled to adopt the new textbooks in November.

Satisfying the state board is only half the battle for textbook publishers. Individual school districts choose which books to use and are reimbursed by the state unless they buy texts rejected by the state board.

Districts can opt not to use books with passages they find objectionable. So when speakers at the public hearings criticize what they perceived as flaws in various books - such as failing to portray the United States or Christianity in a positive light - many publishers listen.

New books will be distributed next summer.

State Board member Terri Leo said the Discovery Institute works with esteemed scientists and that their evidence should be heard.

"You cannot teach students how to think if you don't present both sides of a scientific issue," Leo said. "Wouldn't you think that the body that has the responsibility of what's in the classroom would look at all scientific arguments?"

State board member Bob Craig said he had heard of the Intelligent Design theory.

"I'm going in with an open mind about everybody's presentation," Craig said. "I need to hear their presentation before I make any decisions or comments.

State board member Mary Helen Berlanga said she wanted to hear from local scientists.

"If we are going to discuss scientific information in the textbooks, the discussion will have to remain scientific," Berlanga said. "I'd like to hear from some of our scientists in the field on the subject."


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: crevolist
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To: Right Wing Professor
"What if we question his integrity?"

Sure beats anwering his questions, doesn't it prof
341 posted on 07/09/2003 6:52:06 PM PDT by ALS (http://designeduniverse.com Featuring original works by FR's best. contact me to add yours!)
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To: gore3000
Just once thing should have been enough to take all of the evo theory out of textbooks long ago, but the mountain is growing so big, it is demanded now. I have a physiology textbook claiming unborn fetuses have "gill slits" for cryin out loud.
342 posted on 07/09/2003 6:52:48 PM PDT by goodseedhomeschool (Evolution is the religion for men who want no accountability)
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To: goodseedhomeschool
finch beak soup
343 posted on 07/09/2003 6:53:22 PM PDT by ALS (http://designeduniverse.com Featuring original works by FR's best. contact me to add yours!)
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To: Right Wing Professor
If you think because he got his PhD from a Christian college and that it is unworthy, go ahead, but he will blow you out of the water and that I would be will to say most assuradle that he would. Don't take my word, go for it. :) YOu can't argue with him so you try to question his credibility, that is such an old tactic, try something new, show me you can be original.
344 posted on 07/09/2003 6:55:17 PM PDT by goodseedhomeschool (Evolution is the religion for men who want no accountability)
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To: goodseedhomeschool
Shoot someone call the spelling police, lol. Sorry.
345 posted on 07/09/2003 6:56:34 PM PDT by goodseedhomeschool (Evolution is the religion for men who want no accountability)
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To: gore3000
Actually evo posting has slightly improved ...

at one time water puddlin - hoppin was high science here ---

cadilac fins too !

Even the okapi - monkeys are proof of something I haven't figured out yet !

346 posted on 07/09/2003 6:57:52 PM PDT by f.Christian (( bring it on ... crybabies // bullies - wimps - camp guards for darwin - marx - satan ))
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To: ALS
They question it only because that is one of the tactics Ms. Scott has told them to do. This way they hope to take the focus off of the topic and onto something eles. I don't think some of the secular degree being pumped out these days are worth the paper they are written on. They have a degree in secular theology and think it's something to be proud of, lol.
347 posted on 07/09/2003 6:59:47 PM PDT by goodseedhomeschool (Evolution is the religion for men who want no accountability)
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To: gore3000
Your post was in black-on-white. You're obviously an impostor! :-)
348 posted on 07/09/2003 7:00:01 PM PDT by jennyp (http://crevo.bestmessageboard.com)
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To: gore3000
plenty of Amazing Creatures which are totally unexplainable by evolutiom

Especially the ones that come with onboard GPS.

Hello, Onstar

Yeah, hi, this is King Vidor. I'm a Monarch and have broken an antenna.

Yes, sir we have you located in Moose Phlegm, Ontario. We'll be sending out a new antenna right away. We'll have you up and running in time for the big migration south

You're Amazing Creatures, Onstar. Now where did I put my circadian compass?

This creation science moment was brought to you by the Evangelican Lepidopteran ministries, who remind you that the infernal Radiator Grill awaits those who don't eat their milkweed.

349 posted on 07/09/2003 7:00:34 PM PDT by Right Wing Professor
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To: goodseedhomeschool
Charisma should not be confused with truth. A written debate over a period of weeks would allow each side to muster there best thoughts.

BTW, how's the microscope hunt going?
350 posted on 07/09/2003 7:00:47 PM PDT by js1138
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To: js1138
I think the verbal debate style is the best IMO.
I saw some pretty good ones on that ebay last night. Thanks again for all you help.
351 posted on 07/09/2003 7:02:43 PM PDT by goodseedhomeschool (Evolution is the religion for men who want no accountability)
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To: longshadow
This is all kind of pitiful in a way. I originally logged on to FR precisely because of these threads. It was refreshing to find that there were fellow conservatives who did not view scientific literacy as heretical. The articles and citations provided by you, Nebullis, Physicist, Vade, PH, RA, js1138, Lurking Libertarian, jennyp, even the irascible (although almost invariably pithy and erudite) AndrewC, were a bright spot in my day.

Now, for reasons known only to management, I suppose, these threads are subject to pointless and juvinile destruction. Seeking a patently liberal and relativistic "diveresity" in science (of all things), ALS and his congregation of book-burners have been granted free reign to silence all discussion by flooding these threads with playground insults and saturday morning cartoons.

Ah, well, all good things must come to an end, I suppose. Let's hope its only temporary, and the kids get interested in something else.
352 posted on 07/09/2003 7:03:25 PM PDT by atlaw
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To: goodseedhomeschool
LOL goodness I can't hit the right letters on this laptop. I apologize again for the typos.
353 posted on 07/09/2003 7:03:39 PM PDT by goodseedhomeschool (Evolution is the religion for men who want no accountability)
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To: Right Wing Professor
Why don't we ask mtv do a survival special on us ...

some kind of cyber robot war ---

catered pretty heavily with hard punch ...

score pts and you get to eat ---

timeout from the sludge tank fest -- showers !
354 posted on 07/09/2003 7:05:06 PM PDT by f.Christian (( bring it on ... crybabies // bullies - wimps - camp guards for darwin - marx - satan ))
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To: ALS
I am praying for a victory in Texas on this issue. We will keep going until warning labels are on all biology texts everywhere. Mel and Gloria Gabler have a great site with more details. Textbook review I think it's called.
355 posted on 07/09/2003 7:06:19 PM PDT by goodseedhomeschool (Evolution is the religion for men who want no accountability)
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To: goodseedhomeschool
If you think because he got his PhD from a Christian college

Which Christian college did he get his Ph.D. from? Multiple sources on the net claim it's an Ed.D. degree from Patriot U., a storefront degree mill.

This source has some other details of "Dr." Hovind's illustrious career.

356 posted on 07/09/2003 7:06:43 PM PDT by Right Wing Professor
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To: jennyp
Secondly, evolution is a historical science, just like forensics is

no, evolution is a historical religion. Evolution can't be demonstrated, observed, repeated, tested, or proved...therefore, evolution certainly is not science.

357 posted on 07/09/2003 7:07:12 PM PDT by HalfFull
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To: goodseedhomeschool
Warning labels are good for the public safety. Everyone knows that.
358 posted on 07/09/2003 7:07:43 PM PDT by ALS (http://designeduniverse.com Featuring original works by FR's best. contact me to add yours!)
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To: Right Wing Professor
LOL, good one Prof!!
359 posted on 07/09/2003 7:08:41 PM PDT by Aric2000 (If the history of science shows us anything, it is that we get nowhere by labeling our ignorance god)
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To: Right Wing Professor
I do not care to go through this again with you. If you think you can take him on, I challenge you. Tomorrow. I will be listening for you. What eles can I say. Put up or shut up, as they say (not meaning to be rude).
360 posted on 07/09/2003 7:08:46 PM PDT by goodseedhomeschool (Evolution is the religion for men who want no accountability)
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