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Texas Textbook Publishers Say No To Creationism: Watchdog Report

Texas Textbook Publishers Say No To Creationism
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By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

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books on the table. no labels ...

It appears that science is prevailing in the latest battle over Texas schoolbooks.

Though earlier this year several of the state’s textbook reviewers called for biology textbooks to discuss creationism, publishers are not complying with those requests, according to the Texas Freedom Network. The nonpartisan watchdog examined material made public by the Texas Education Agency and found that publishers are sticking with teaching evolution.

Citizens who serve on the Texas review panels are charged with making suggestions about proposed classroom texts that are being considered for the state's list of “approved” schoolbooks. While most reviewers on this year’s biology panel made routine, noncontroversial suggestions, some took issue with the fact that the proposed books did not include information about creationism while focusing on evolution.

However, information that publishers submitted to the Texas Education Agency show they are not incorporating the suggestions about "creation science" and plan to print books free of references to the theory of intelligent design.

“This is a very welcome development for everyone who opposes teaching phony science about evolution in our kid’s public schools,” said Texas Freedom Network President Kathy Miller in a press release. “Texas parents can applaud these publishers for standing up to pressure from politicians and activists who want to put their personal beliefs ahead of giving Texas students a 21st-century science education.”

Josh Rosenau, the programs and policy director at the National Center for Science Education, also declared the publishers' response a victory for science.

“They didn’t put in anything creationist or dangerous, so I’m prepared to call this a victory for the publishers,” he told The Huffington Post. “They stood strong against the pressure of the reviewers.”

HuffPost reached out to several known creationists on the textbook review panel, but they were not immediately available for comment.

In November, the Texas Board of Education will decide which books it will recommend for schools to use. It's not clear how the failure to include creationism will impact the recommended list. However, even if specific textbooks are not recommended, school districts will still have the option of using them.

According to the Texas Education Agency, the new textbooks will reach classrooms in the 2014–15 school year.

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Before You Go

Weird Things Banned At Schools
Holding Hands(01 of20)
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A bill passed in Tennessee earlier this year declared hand-holding a 'gateway sexual activity,' with teachers facing firing for even demonstrating the action. (credit:Shutterstock)
Hugging(02 of20)
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Surprisingly, the ban on hugging isn't a one-off rule at a select school, but a trend that seems to be spreading. Schools in Portland and Florida started instituting these rules in 2010, while administrations in New Jersey, Brooklyn and New Zealand took it upon themselves in 2012. For all, the reasoning appears to be the same: Respecting personal space and "unsuitable interactions" between students. (credit:Shutterstock)
Red Ink(03 of20)
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At schools in both Australia and the U.K., green ink has replaced red ink in marking children's paper because of its 'confrontational' nature. (credit:ShutterStock)
Dodgeball(04 of20)
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Due to its "aggressive" nature, dodgeball has been banned in schools across North America, as it's frequently named the cause of injuries and fights. Adult dodgeball, on the other hand, has been enjoying a continued popularity. (credit:AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jason Franson)
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You'd think, with all the talk about childhood obesity these days, schools would be encouraging students to ride their bikes or skateboards to school. One New York said it was illegal for kids to have bikes, while another Orthodox school disagreed with the freedom afford by the two wheels. (credit:ShutterStock)
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Black Makeup(09 of20)
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Silly Bandz(11 of20)
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Milk(13 of20)
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And then there's the opposite end of the spectrum. Much like yoga pants, skinny jeans have been banned in schools all over the place, due to their lack of modesty and distraction factor for the opposite sex.
Winning(18 of20)
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Balls(19 of20)
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