Testimony scheduled in curriculum debate

AUSTIN - A public hearing is scheduled Wednesday to allow advocates and opponents of proposed revisions to Texas's science curriculum to testify before the State Board of Education. The board is preparing to vote in two months on proposed revisions to the state's science curriculum and standards adopted by the board will remain in place for the next decade.

Tuesday is the deadline for the public to sign up to testify.

Six appointed curriculum reviewers are among those expected to testify at Wednesday’s hearing. The six appointed reviewers will be split on whether to approve the final draft.

The current curriculum requires students be taught the "strengths and weaknesses" of all scientific theories, wording that some say has been used to undermine the theory of evolution.

On the Web:

The proposed recommendations: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/teks/scienceTEKS.html
The Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture: www.discovery.org/csc/texas
The Texas Freedom Network: www.tfn.org
The 21st Century Science Coalition: www.texasscientists.org

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