Reply #5: I teach third grade science in TX:

[callous taoboy]

I have been following this closely and have donated at least 200 bucks to the Texas Freedom Network, a group dedicated to keeping science sound in this state. With that said, I really don't know what to make of the final "compromise." To me it sounds as though the I.D. folks have been kept at bay. The language sounds like science classes will only focus on ideas that have met the rigors of empirical science. It sounds like any textbook that would include I.D. theory would be in violation of the new standards. The "strengths and weaknesses of theories" language sounds like it will be the science teacher's duty to point out that evolution is the soundest theory we have on the origins and variation of life since it continues to hew to the strict standards of science, while I.D. will be recognized as pseudo-science.

Of course, I don't trust the religious zealots on our SBOE, and I suspect that there is something I may be missing here. Can anyone on this board clarify the ramifications of the new standards in science?