Study flunks state science standards
Nearly half the states flunked an examination of
statewide science standards for elementary and high schools.
The State of State Science Standards 2005 appraised the quality of statewide K-12 science standards required to be in place this school year by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. Adopting new science standards is the first step leading to NCLB science testing required in every state by 2007.
Fifteen states flunked, seven earned a "D" grade and eight were given a "C" by a panel of science professors who reviewed state science standards. The study was sponsored by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative think tank that supports toughening school standards.
The remaining 19 states, which educate just over half of U.S. students, earned grades of "A" or "B", with California, Virginia, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Indiana in the top five. Idaho, Texas, Wisconsin, Alaska and Kansas received the lowest marks.
"Certainly some states do an awful job addressing evolution, but for the most part these states also do an awful job addressing the rest of science.” -- Well, duh!
Posted: Thu - December 8, 2005 at 06:26 AM