weird un-science

This is really sad.  The Kansas Board of "Education" voted to adopt new science standards yesterday, stunningly redefining science itself.  As John Rennie at Scientific American explains, science, as defined by the Kansas BofE, is

"...no longer just a search for natural explanations for natural phenomena. Now it's a search for... well, that's a bit hard to say. Any sort of explanation, apparently. Pixies, ghosts, telekinesis, auras, ancient astronauts, excesses of choleric humor, they all seem to be fair game in the interest of "academic freedom." Oh, and God, of course. The Board might not say that because it could get them into trouble with the Supreme Court, but can anyone say with a straight face that getting God into the science classes isn't the goal of the people who pushed for these changes?"

One supporting board member made the stunning comment "I'm very pleased to be maybe on the front edge of trying to bring some intellectual honesty and integrity to the science classroom..."  An ID proponent remarked the Kansas board was "taking a very courageous step" that would "make science education interesting to students rather than boring."  Read more insanity in the Times article.

Many others will write more eloquently and thoroughly about this than me.  Visit Pharyngula, at least.  All I can say is, I feel like I don't know my country any more (or, for that matter, my own city).

Let's go make a donation to the National Center for Science Education.

Comments

[Mark O'Brien]

On the other hand, the entire 6 member Board of Education in Dover was ousted in last night's election. Sometimes sanity reigns. What we really need is a downpour, though.

[TroutGrrrl]

Drats, I was hoping Kilpatrick would be defeated. I'm disappointed to know he's going to remain in office for another term of embarassment. My condolences.

[Kathleen]

Yes I LOVED that the entire school board in Penn was ousted!
HIP HIP HOORAY!

[Alan]

That even one state has reached this point is, perhaps, not so much a commentary on the twisted thinking that seems to be pervading so much of our public discourse these days but the science (and science education) community's apparent disdain toward advocacy. Dr. Reed Noss, a dean of conservation biology, has written about this matter, issuing a call to fellow scientists to not be afraid, for example, in exclaiming their love for a species or a favorite wild place.

[beetlecat]

Well, this is just one of like a million reasons why I won't bring children into this world but....

If I did then this would be one of like a million reasons why I would home school my child.