Open AccessNew Mexico votes for strong science education standards
Author(s) -
Folger Peter
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2003eo360003
Subject(s) - creationism , curriculum , intelligent design , skepticism , political science , science education , engineering ethics , sociology , law , environmental ethics , public relations , engineering , epistemology , philosophy
On 28 August, the New Mexico State School Board voted unanimously to adopt science education standards which keep biological evolution as a centerpiece of scientific knowledge. The school board voted 13‐0 for the standards, which were strongly endorsed by scientific and educational organizations. This defeated efforts by intelligent design creationists to insert alternate language downplaying the treatment of evolution in the curriculum. Scientists in New Mexico helped develop the standards and stayed active in defending them against the creationists. Numerous scientific organizations, including AGU, signed letters in support of the standards, and urged the school board members to cast a skeptical eye on a recent poll conducted by creationists purporting to show New Mexico scientists' support for intelligent design.