Tennessee passes anti-science theory, and our students can't read

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Honu

I dont know a whole lot about public school or what they teach, my only experiance that is first hand is that my brother who was in public school until 8th grade couldnt read 5th grade English and that in one school year in private school he was reading his grade level. I wasnt taught evolution but I learned about it by being on the family farm and seeing things with my own eyes. I dont feel like I was slighted in anyway by not being taught evolution in school.

Seriously wondering: Did you not have any biology in high school? Or did they just skip getting into genetics and anthropology? (evolution)

I had great public schools where I grew up, was very lucky. Others: not so much, certainly.

[Honu]

Originally Posted by Riot

Seriously wondering: Did you not have any biology in high school? Or did they just skip getting into genetics and anthropology? (evolution)

I had great public schools where I grew up, was very lucky. Others: not so much, certainly.

Yes I took biology its was a requirment for graduation and I also took physics but we did not have a lab for either. The curriculum that I was taught was pretty experimental, you had to be goal orientated and there was alot of focus on your honor. I dont even know if there are schools that even teach it anymore.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Honu

Yes I took biology its was a requirment for graduation and I also took physics but we did not have a lab for either. The curriculum that I was taught was pretty experimental, you had to be goal orientated and there was alot of focus on your honor. I dont even know if there are schools that even teach it anymore.

So they just skipped the "evolution" part?

Sounds very Socratic, "problem-based learning"- you're lucky, no they don't do that much at all!

[Honu]

Originally Posted by Riot

So they just skipped the "evolution" part?

Sounds very Socratic, "problem-based learning"- you're lucky, no they don't do that much at all!

I learned about Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution, it was touched upon not studied.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Honu

I learned about Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution, it was touched upon not studied.

When I talk to my Catholic friends, there was never (years ago) any problem "teaching science" and "teaching religion" - they were separate but equal.

Now, down here in evangelical land, it's a far different than the city Catholics of my youth. For some reason, you have to deny all rational science to be a "good" religious person. It's crazy.

[Honu]

Originally Posted by Riot

When I talk to my Catholic friends, there was never (years ago) any problem "teaching science" and "teaching religion" - they were separate but equal.

Now, down here in evangelical land, it's a far different than the city Catholics of my youth. For some reason, you have to deny all rational science to be a "good" religious person. It's crazy.

I dont believe in organized religion no matter what denomination. I liked the school I went to and I loved my teachers. I dont feel like I missed out on anything.

[GenuineRisk]

The problem with schools not teaching proper science is that students are not taught how to think critically.

Science is not about what's true; it's about what's observable and what's testable. It's a method of learning. That's what's really frustrating about the whole "Why shouldn't Intelligent Design be taught in Science?" Because, even should it turn out to be true that we're all created by some higher power, Intelligent Design is not testable using the Scientific Method, and therefore, is not Science. There may be set rules about the proper usage of semi-colons, but they don't belong in Math class. Likewise, ID does not belong in Science class. Evolutionary theory, which is observable and testable, does belong.

Of course, I often think our assorted Federal, State and Local governments would prefer that schools not produce students who can think critically, because critical thinking can apply to a lot more than Science.