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[Phys-L] Does anyone doubt that one political party is against science and education?




Look at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/texas-republican-party-2012-platfor
m-education_n_1632097.html?utm_hp_ref=education

"The position causing the most controversy, however, is the statement that
they oppose the teaching of "higher order thinking skills" -- a curriculum
which strives to encourage critical thinking -- arguing that it might
challenge "student's fixed beliefs" and undermine "parental authority." "

From the proposed party platform:
-------------------------------
Controversial Theories - We support objective teaching and equal treatment
of all sides of scientific theories. We believe theories such as life
origins and environmental change should be taught as challengeable
scientific theories subject to change as new data is produced. Teachers and
students should be able to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these
theories openly and without fear of retribution or discrimination of any
kind.

Early Childhood Development - We believe that parents are best suited to
train their children in their early development and oppose mandatory
pre-school and Kindergarten. We urge Congress to repeal government-sponsored
programs that deal with early childhood development.

Knowledge-Based Education - We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking
Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar
programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE)
(mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose
of challenging the student's fixed beliefs and undermining parental
authority.
-------------------------------

Obviously they want to teach creationism, and don't want students to have
their "beliefs" challenged. They also don't want children to get a head
start. In other words keep them stupid! Of course understanding that there
are various scientific alternatives within science is an important goal, but
it is obvious that they want unscientific religious dogma taught as the
alternative.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX