Florida Citizens for Science

An Associated Press article on tonight’s meeting in Miramar about the new draft of the state science standards is already up on the Florida Times-Union website. The story does not give an overall impression of attendance or how many people spoke and such. The focus was mainly on just two people on opposite sides of the debate.

For those who have been following this adventure for the past few months, you probably thought that Polk County was the Florida poster child for anti-science sentiments. This story, though, shows that even Polk County can be one-upped:

Last month Taylor County School Board unanimously approved a resolution saying the district is opposed to teaching evolution as a fact.

No, that is not a joke, people. Here it is in the Taylor County school board meeting minutes of Nov. 20. Scroll down to page seven and you’ll see:

Upon motion by Danny Lundy, seconded by Darrell Whiddon the Board adopted/approved the: 1.) Resolution regarding the new Sunshine State Standards for Science.

The adoped resolution is as follows:
Whereas, the Florida Department of Education has drafted and is now proposing new Sunshine State Standards for Science, the Taylor County School Board opposes the implementation of the new standards as currently presented.
Whereas, the new Sunshine State Standards for Science no longer present evolution as theory but as “the fundamental concept underlying all of biology and is supported in multiple forms of scientific evidence,” we are requesting that the State Board of Education direct the Florida Department of Education to revise/edit the new Sunshine State Standards for Science so that evolution is presented as one of several theories as to how the universe was formed.
Whereas, the Taylor County School Board recognizes the importance of providing a thorough and comprehensive Science education to all the students in Taylor County and to all students in the state of Florida, it recognizes as even more important the need to present these standards through a fair and balanced approach, an approach that does not unfairly exclude other theories as to the creation of the universe.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Taylor County School Board of Taylor County, Perry, Florida, that the Board urges the State Board of Education to direct the Florida Department of Education to revise the new Sunshine State Standards for Science such that evolution is not presented as fact, but as one of several theories.

So, Taylor County joins our long list of Florida school boards who need you to educate them on what exactly science is and isn’t. Click here for our list and the school board contact information.

As crazy as the Taylor County school board is, we must not forget that it’s the state board of education that needs our direct attention. One state board member, Donna Callaway, apparently is not backing off of her intention to vote against the standards.

Callaway says she doesn’t “expect everyone to agree with me or like me. You have to make tough decisions.”

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A long time attendee of First Baptist Tallahassee, Callaway has already indicated she will vote against the standards.

If you think Taylor County school board members and Ms. Callaway are wrong on this issue, as Florida Citizens for Science does, then don’t just sit around waiting to see what happens. Do something! Write, call, e-mail … make your voice heard! Use information from our county list and combine it with our “All I Want … is a Good Science Education” call to action project.

Don’t let Florida be the laughingstock of the country … and world.

The Florida Citizens for Science “Call to Action” project is still steaming ahead. We need you to get involved by making your voice heard! Don’t sit on the sidelines and watch what’s happening concerning the new draft of the state science standards. Do something. Those opposed to having evolution without some type of “other theory” alongside have been unrelenting in contacting the Florida Board of Education with their message. Don’t let them do it unopposed. We have until Feb. 19 to have our say. Don’t waste this opportunity. Send a card, write a letter, call, fax, e-mail … just take some action and make it count.

Go to our All I Want … is a Good Science Education section of the FCS website to learn more.

The St. Petersburg education blog, The Gradebook, has been tracking the state science standards story in a very dedicated way. Now the Palm Beach Post adds their voice to the blog world with their own education blog, Extra Credit. The writers promise to be all over the science standards story, too. As a matter of fact, there are already a couple of posts on the subject up, with one focusing on some positive support for strong science:

“It’s amazing that we might actually rise out of the Middle Ages,” said Rep. Shelley Vana, ranking party member of the House K-12 education committee.

The Lantana Democrat and former AP biology teacher said it’s impossible to teach her subject without touching on evolution.

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Palm Beach County School District superintendent Art Johnson said the real issue isn’t evolution, it’s whether alternative ideas such as intelligent design should be paid any attention.

And that’s barely a debate worth having, Johnson said.

That’s nine newspaper editorials in favor of including evolution in the state science standards and zero in favor of “other theories.” The South Florida Sun Sentinel jumps on board.

Evolution isn’t debatable in many parts of the world, and among a majority of scientists, but somehow Florida hasn’t fully gotten the message.

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Let’s leave science to the scientists. Scientific evidence has long backed up evolution to explain the development of species, and it’s time that message reached the state’s public schools. Florida students have scored poorly on college entrance tests, and science surely hasn’t been a strong point.