November 2017 Church & State - November 2016

N.M. Science Standards Slight Evolution

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New proposed state science standards for public schools in New Mexico are drawing criticism for limiting the scientific study of evolution, downplaying human impact on climate change and failing to explain adequately the age of the Earth. 

The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) has expressed concern over the standards, which are ostensibly based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS has been adopted in 18 states as well as Wash­ington, D.C., but in New Mexico state education officials have made a number of changes to the NGSS, including cutting a reference to evolution and downplaying others.

School boards in Los Alamos and Santa Fe have recom­mended adopting the original NGSS. The Santa Fe board also held a teach-in on the issue on Oct. 13.

Advocates are fighting back in other ways. In an Oct. 3 letter, the New Mexico Science Teachers’ Association opposed the proposed standards and said the state’s curriculum should adopt NGSS without alterations.

Faced with growing criticism, officials at New Mexico’s Public Education Department restored references to the age of the Earth, evolution and climate change. But critics say the state’s standards are still weaker than the NGSS.

BREAKING NEWS

Americans United & the National Women’s Law Center file suit to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans.

Abortion bans violate the separation of church and state. Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center—the leading experts in religious freedom and gender justice—have joined forces with thirteen clergy from six faith traditions to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans as unconstitutionally imposing one narrow religious doctrine on everyone.


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