More on the Texas Standards

The Houston Chronicle has a slightly different story about the resistance to the Texas Standards. According to the story:

"We are here to support and promote strong, clear, modern science education in Texas schools," said David Hillis, professor of integrative biology at the University of Texas at Austin. "Texas public schools should be preparing our kids to succeed in the 21st century, not promoting political and ideological agendas that are hostile to a sound science education."

But it's important for Texas biology teachers to explain the strengths and weaknesses of various theories, including biology, said the board's chairman, Dr. Don McLeroy, R-Bryan.

A panel of experts recently recommended the "strengths and weaknesses" provision remain in astronomy and chemistry but be removed from the updated science curriculum.

"We will probably put it back in," McLeroy said. "If it's viable for astronomy and chemistry, it's good enough for biology."

The unspoken point here is that he thinks that astronomy and chemistry are just fine but evolution is misguided. Dr. McLeroy has stated a number of times he thinks that the theory has weaknesses. I would like to know what those weaknesses are. I believe I will ask him.