State board approves biology books; orders factual checks on two
AUSTIN – State Board of Education members late Thursday tentatively approved new high school science books that include full coverage of evolution without the disclaimers that had been sought by social conservatives and other critics of Charles Darwin’s theory.
Board members approved 18 biology textbooks and e-books that will be used for eight years in Texas high schools beginning in the fall of 2014. Those materials were among more than 400 books adopted by the board for math, science and technology at all grade levels.
But two of the books – a printed and digital version of a biology book by Pearson Education – were approved contingent on a panel of science experts reviewing 20 alleged errors in evolution coverage that were cited by a textbook reviewer who has creationist views and is a Darwin critic.
If the alleged errors are dismissed, the books will remain the state’s recommended textbook list. If the errors have foundation, the Pearson books will go back to the board in January and the publisher will be asked to make corrections and possibly pay a fine.
Pearson officials have disputed the alleged errors and several board members said they expect the
