TAMEST Position on TEKS Science Curriculum Standards

Today we live in an information-based, highly technological and globalized society, and the growing importance of scientific and technological innovation to the success of Texas and the nation is inescapable. Over the next decade, America’s demand for scientists and engineers is expected to increase four times faster than the demand for all other professions.  In order to remain on the cutting edge of technology, our schools must provide Texas students with the opportunity for a world-class science education.   

The Texas State Board of Education is reviewing the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) science standards that will drive the content of the science curriculum and the textbooks selected for use in our public schools.  It has been a decade since the science standards have been reviewed, and the tremendous advances in medicine, science and technology requires that we adopt rigorous standards to provide our students with the education they need to be successful.

The State Board’s review process includes input from a “panel of experts”, and although this panel includes several highly qualified members, the recent appointments of two members from outside Texas who openly support the inclusion of creationism or “intelligent design” in the science curriculum have alarmed the scientific community and raised valid concerns about whether some Board members’ personal views are compromising the integrity of the review process.    

Science is the systematic acquisition of knowledge through hypothesis and observations that are repeatedly tested, evaluated and revised as new evidence emerges. Creationism or “intelligent design” is a belief that is not subject to testing or validation.  Our science classrooms are no place for discussions about science vs. religion, and to allow it would be a serious breach of responsibility to our students.  The resolution of the teachings of science with religious beliefs should remain within the realm of the individual’s experience, not taught as science by any institution approved or accredited by the State. 

The quality of public education in Texas has far reaching implications.  The future of the world, our nation and the State hinges on continued breakthroughs in science, engineering and medicine as we face the challenges of providing adequate supplies of energy and water, a clean environment, health care and economic competitiveness. Texas’ reputation as a science state is critical, as it will allow us to attract the best minds to meet these challenges and to provide our children with rigorous scientific training.  Anything that diminishes a high quality education for the youth of Texas or our ability to recruit the best talent puts the state at great risk and precludes our contributions to solving national and world problems.   

An important aim of TAMEST, and, we believe all scientists, is to enhance the teaching of true science and to promote excellence in our public schools and universities to enhance our national stature as a science state.  We urge the State Board of Education to act in the best interest of our children and our State in their decisions about the TEKS science standards.

The opinions expressed here represent the unanimous views of the Board of Directors of TAMEST, a non-profit organization formed in 2004, see http://www.tamest.org.  The membership of TAMEST consists of Texas members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine.   TAMEST’s Education Committee will release a report on their study of K-12 science and math education in Texas in December 2008.