Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Kansas Association of Teachers of Science Dissassociates Itself From New Anti-Science Standards
The Kansas Association of Teachers of Science has adopted the following resolution on the adoption of the 2005 Kansas Science Standards:
KATS resolves that:
KATS resolves that:
- Kansas teachers of science should continue to teach science as it is practiced throughout the world, and not attribute natural phenomena to supernatural causation;
- Kansas teachers of science should explore with their students the extensive evidence for evolutionary theory and actively refute the so-called evidence against evolution, as outlined in the new science standards;
- The Kansas Association of Teachers of Science recognizes that the KSBE is exhibiting educational irresponsibility in ignoring mainstream scientific understandings by substituting its own religiously motivated agenda;
- State assessments should not include items related to the disputed portions of the 2005 Standards, as these statements do not reflect the global view of the science community;
- The KSBE should reconsider the inclusion of non-scientific ideas about the origins and development of life in order not to damage the prospects for student admission to high-quality colleges and universities;
- The KSBE should be aware that their anti-science actions are indirect conflict with the recent Kansas Bioscience Initiative.
Be it further resolved, that the Board of Directors of the Kansas Association of Teachers of Science (KATS) does not support and disassociates itself from these Kansas Science Education Standards (2005) as approved by the Kansas State Board of Education and recommends continued use of the 2001 Standards for curriculum development and assessment.