Rhubarb

Louisiana, Science Textbooks, and Shame

Author Name: Dr. Rebecca W. Keller | Nov 17 | Category: Science
Tags: Education, evolution, Philosophy, policies, textbooks

In Louisiana this week a state advisory panel voted to approve biology and environmental science textbooks that were contested by certain groups of dissenters. Of course, this is a familiar rhubarb with a predictable narrative. Textbooks are written and submitted for approval to certain textbook approving boards. Word gets out that textbooks are being approved and certain groups oppose their approval. Then groups that oppose the opposing groups pop up to oppose the opposition.  This cycle starts to oscillate, back and forth, until one side or the other claims victory. But it’s only a temporary victory. Pretty soon there will be a new set of books (or standards, or legislation, or opposing groups) to oppose and the whole narrative repeats.