Make us Go!

August 27, 2014 1:21 PM

How does water flow up that tube? Answer: Science! There's a bill being considered in Ohio that would discourage the teaching of the scientific process, apparently to prevent politicizing science, by naturally, doing just that.

The standards in science shall be based in core existing disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics; incorporate grade-level mathematics and be referenced to the mathematics standards; focus on academic and scientific knowledge rather than scientific processes; and prohibit political or religious interpretation of scientific facts in favor of another.

Debate has been "sparked" (future Ohio residents may not know how to find out how sparks occur) The National Center for Science Education doesn't agree.

posted by juiceCake (5 comments total)

So, I get that this is largely an anti-evolution measure, and therefore it is obviously stupid and bad, but...honestly if this would mean that students would escape having to learn about the motherfucking krebs fucking cycle every goddamned year of their childhood education, well, I can't say I'm too horribly opposed.
posted by phunniemee at 1:29 PM on August 27, 2014

"The political interpretation of science" is some mind-boggling idiocy.
posted by entropone at 1:29 PM on August 27, 2014

Looking at the bill, it's obciously intent on ... certain specific education standards:

The new academic content standards shall be designed to teach the competencies for which students shall be tested under sections 3301.0710 and 3301.0712 of the Revised Code, and shall be designed to prepare all students for active citizenship, employment, or successful completion of post-secondary education without the need for remedial coursework at the post-secondary level.

(i) The standards for English language arts shall require the use of English phonograms and all of their sounds, using traditional phonics; include significant instruction in English grammar; require that at least eighty per cent of English study focus on imaginative literature; require that at least eighty per cent of literary works taught in grades eight through twelve be complete works of classic British and American authors published prior to 1970; and require a choice of literary works to be studied solely on the basis of literary merit rather than popularity or political considerations.

(ii) The standards for mathematics shall require a mastery of the standard algorithm; require fluency with addition and subtraction of multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithms by third grade; require fluency with arithmetic operations on decimals and multiplication and division of multi-digit numbers using the standard algorithms by fifth grade; prepare students to take the first authentic Algebra I course by eighth grade; and include a traditional Euclidean geometry course.

(iii) The standards in science shall be based in core existing disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics; incorporate grade-level mathematics and be referenced to the mathematics standards; focus on academic and scientific knowledge rather than scientific processes; and prohibit political or religious interpretation of scientific facts in favor of another.

(iv) The standards in social studies shall incorporate the original texts and the original context of the declaration of independence, the northwest ordinance, the constitution of the United States and its amendments with emphasis on the bill of rights; incorporate the Ohio constitution; define the United States of America as a constitutional republic; be based on acquisition of real knowledge of major individuals and events; require the study of world and American geography; and prohibit a specific political or religious interpretation of the standards' content.

and on reducing other standards:

(B) The state board of education shall not adopt, and the department of education shall not implement, the academic content standards for English language arts and mathematics developed by the common core state standards initiative or any similar initiative process or program. Nor shall the state board use the partnership for assessment of readiness for college and careers (PARCC), the smarter balanced assessment, or any other assessments related to or based on the common core state standards.
Any actions taken to adopt or implement the common core state standards as of the effective date of this section are void.

and on reducing the influence of unlected bureaucrats!:

Sec. 3301.0718. (A) The state board of education shall not adopt or revise any academic content standards in the areas of English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies until both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The proposed standards or revisions are approved by both houses of the general assembly by concurrent resolution. The standing committee having jurisdiction over education legislation in each house shall conduct at least one public hearing on the proposed standards or revisions.
(2) The proposed standards or revisions for each subject area are approved by the appropriate subcommittee established under division (D)(4) of this section.

posted by the man of twists and turns at 1:30 PM on August 27, 2014

require that at least eighty per cent of literary works taught in grades eight through twelve be complete works of classic British and American authors published prior to 1970;

wtf?
posted by rebent at 1:31 PM on August 27, 2014

> So it's a bit mind-boggling to discover that an Ohio state legislator is attempting to block educators from teaching anything about the scientific process.

It's really not mind-boggling at all when you learn that it's a Republican legislator.
posted by The Card Cheat at 1:32 PM on August 27, 2014