Science & Censorship Update: State Representative Wayne Christian Files Bill To Keep 20 Year Strengths and Weaknesses Standard in Science

Rep. Wayne Christian has filed HB 4224. Click Here for Press Release.
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This bill bascially confirms that the 20 year standard of teaching the “strengths and weaknesses” of all scientific theories, including evolution, in public school will continue.  In January, by one vote, the SBOE voted to remove the words “critique” and “weakneses” from the science standards.  Voting against the strengths and weaknesses language were Pat Hardy (R), Bob Craig (R), Tincy Miller (R), Rick Agosto (D), Mavis Knight (D), Lawrence Allen (D), and Mary Helen Berlanga (D).

Also last week, the State Republican Executive Committee passed a resolution, almost unanimously, to support the “strengths and weaknesses language.
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The final hearing on the science curriculum issue is next Wednesday, March 25th, with the final vote expected on the following day.

Here are excellent TALKING POINTS ON SCIENCE & CENSORSHIP to use when you call your State Board member. 
https://www.freemarket.org/Legislature_Issues_SBOEtalkingpoints.aspx 

Don’t let Tincy Miller or others try to convince you that we and others are trying to put Creationism and Intelligent Design in Science class.  We’re not, and neither are other board members. We just want a balanced approach to teaching Evolution, as we’ve had for 20 years of teaching the “strengths and weaknesses” of all scientific theories.”

If you talk to Tincy Miller, remind her that she told me directly that she didn’t have a problem with the “strengths and weaknesses” language, she just had a problem with the people on the SBOE that would vote for such language.  That’s means here decision is based on personal grudges and not on what’s best for students.

Please contact our office if you would like to testify or help in any way, to support the “strengths and weaknesses” langauge, at 512-478-2220, or legislative@freemarket.org.  We will also be presenting testimony to the SBOE.