Texas says ‘no’ to Federal government science standards
Texas has no plans to adopt new national science standards, known as The Next Generation Science Standards. The standards are expected to formally roll out next year to chart a national curriculum for science students from kindergarten through high school graduation. Barbara Cargill, chairwoman of the Texas Board of Education, tells KTRH the standards aren’t necessary here. “We have developed our own very rigorous, excellent science standards here in Texas with the input of teachers, educators, university professors, parents, etc.”
Flags at the Texas Capitol. Austin, Texas. Photograph by J. Williams (Aug. 26, 2002). Public domain/wikimedia commons
Cargill is referring to state standards adopted by Texas in 2009 after much debate over the curriculum’s balanced approach to the issue of evolution, which requires students to learn both positive and negative about such theories.
Linda Bridges with the American Federation of Teachers in Texas thinks that approach is misguided.
“To some degree, our state board of education would rather debate creationism and other things instead of really looking at what kids really need to know,” she tells KTRH. In particular, Bridges worries state-specific standards can be harmful for children who move from Texas to another state. “With all the mobility we have in this country, it really is a disservice to kids not to go ahead and adopt national standards.”
Cargill says they can’t measure up to a home-cooked solution. “We are trying to increase academic achievement, trying to increase rigor,” she says. “The only way we are going to do that is with our own standards because we know what is best for our Texas kids.” Likewise, Texas also rejected the so-called “common core” national standards for math and reading that have been adopted by 45 other states.
