North Texas Skeptic - Vol 04 No 02 - 1990

Magazine Overview

Title: The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics
Issue: Volume 4 Number 2
Date: March/April 1990
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics covers significant organizational changes and a detailed examination of educational policy debates in Texas, particularly concerning the teaching of evolution in public schools.

NTS under new leadership

The newsletter opens with the announcement of a leadership transition within the North Texas Skeptics (NTS). John Thomas, who had served as president since 1987, has resigned. The organization extends its gratitude for his contributions. For 1990, the following officers were elected: John Blanton as President, Joe Voelkering as Vice President, Mark Meyer as Secretary/Treasurer, and Tony Dousette as Newsletter Editor. The Board of Directors includes John Blanton, Joe Voelkering, Mark Meyer, Tony Dousette, and Ron Hastings.

The issue also reports the passing of Mel Zemek, the former Vice-president and board member, who died on January 19th after a brief illness. Zemek is remembered for his astute observations on science and critical inquiry, his career as an electrical engineer, his service in the RAF during the Battle of Britain, and his time as a stage magician. His absence is noted as a significant loss to the NTS. Tony Dousette has stepped down as newsletter editor, and Keith Blanton, brother of the new president John Blanton, has agreed to take over the role, utilizing his personal computer for editing, starting with the May-June edition.

NTS member spreads the word

This section highlights the recent public outreach activities of NTS member John Thomas. In January, he spoke at a luncheon meeting of the American Business Club in Irving and a Parents Without Partners meeting, reaching a total of approximately 75 people. On February 7th, Thomas appeared on the "About Town" interview program on Telecable of Richardson, discussing psychic powers with host Jo Shannon. The following week, on February 14th, he lectured to Professor Ray Eve's class on science and society at UTA.

NTS loses a friend

This article provides a brief obituary for Mel Zemek, the NTS Vice-president and board member who passed away on January 19th. It reiterates his background as an electrical engineer, his RAF service in the Battle of Britain, his career as a stage magician in New York, and his involvement in various civic and fraternal organizations, including Mensa. His advice and counsel are stated to be sorely missed.

Only a theory

This is Part 2 of an article by Scott Faust, continuing the discussion on the Texas textbook proclamation, specifically Proclamation 66, which was introduced in January 1989 and concerned the coverage of evolution.

The Board Acts on Proclamation 66

Following a public hearing on Proclamation 66, a committee of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), chaired by Commissioner of Education Kirby, redrafted the document. Despite expectations that the revised version would pass without amendment, intense fundamentalist lobbying led to last-minute changes by the State Board of Education (SBE). On March 10th, the board's committees met. The Committee on Students accepted the revised proclamation with modifications. Board member Will Davis of Austin is identified as a key architect of these changes, distributing a letter with proposed modifications. Committee chair Geraldine Miller confirmed discussions with Davis and noted that he claimed others contributed. Don Patton also reportedly recommended changes to Miller, and acknowledged discussing the proclamation with several board members and Jon Buell of the Dallas-based Foundation for Thought and Ethics.

Patton's claims about the number of creationists on the board are presented as potentially exaggerated. The article notes that items in Biology I and II originally stating "scientific evidence of evolution" were altered to include "scientific evidence of evolution and other reliable scientific theories to the contrary." This language, though considered carefully crafted by its authors, was met with strong opposition from scientists and science educators. Will Davis proposed an amendment to remove "to the contrary" and add ", if any," resulting in the final wording: "scientific evidence of evolution and other reliable scientific theories, if any." Both anti-evolution activists and their opponents claimed victory, though publishers reportedly believed the original language could have forced the presentation of unscientific information.

The author speculates that some board members may have treated the issue politically, others may have been misled, and some may have had religious convictions against evolution. Carolyn Crawford is noted as the only member who forthrightly opposed the anti-evolution language on grounds of academic integrity, warning that the board needed to be better informed before textbook adoptions.

A Familiar Pattern

While the phrase "other reliable scientific theories" garnered significant press attention, other revisions by the Committee on Students, which were not amended by the board, are also highlighted. Positive changes included the addition of "Human reproduction and fertilization" and references to "evolutionary affinities." "Darwin's theory of evolution" was added to a section on important scientific discoveries. However, Item 1.4 under "Scientific methods" in Biology I was amended to read, "scientific theories and laws based on existing evidence as well as new evidence." Parallel language in process skills was modified to produce section 6.3, which focuses on drawing logical inference, predicting outcomes, and forming generalized statements, including examining alternative scientific evidence and ideas.

The article argues that the phrase "alternative evidence" in section 6.3 is intentionally ambiguous, allowing creationists to include spurious arguments under the guise of "creation science." The directive to "see 6.3" is applied to specific topics like Darwin's theory of evolution, chemical origin of life, and inheritance, but notably not to other scientific theories such as cell theory, biogenetic law, or DNA structure. This selective application suggests a bias against evolution.

In Elementary Science, language corresponding to 6.3 appears in the content section, directly linked to "objectionable scientific theories." Additions were made to items concerning inherited and environmental influences, and the history of the earth and universe, specifically including the examination of "alternative scientific evidence and ideas for scientific theories of evolution, adaptation, and extinction."

External evidence, such as a letter from Mel Gabler to Commissioner Kirby, further indicates the intent behind 6.3. Kirby acknowledged that the changes in essential elements related to Proclamation 66 were made to accommodate content related to evolution and recommended their addition to board rule, recognizing 6.3's focus on evolution.

The Gablers responded to the final proclamation with a flyer thanking supporters and claiming divine intervention. They highlighted the linkage of 6.3 to evolution by enumerating the "see 6.3" references. The author recounts meeting the Gablers and finding Mel genuinely puzzled by the suggestion that 6.3 should apply to theories other than those he opposed.

Final Comments on Proclamation 66

The parallels between Proclamation 66 and previous anti-evolution requirements are evident, both singling out evolution for qualifications not applied to other scientific theories, suggesting sectarian considerations. Despite the controversy, evolution remains in the proclamation, and publishers are not required to include spurious anti-evolution arguments.

The article attributes this outcome partly to Texas's history of embarrassment and criticism regarding the SBE's handling of evolution. Commissioner Kirby is credited with making the decision to include evolution and convincing the board. However, the SBE is criticized for caving to fundamentalist pressure, placing the onus on publishers for academic integrity while signaling that anti-evolution content might be commercially viable in Texas. The article acknowledges the sophistication of anti-evolution rhetoric and the possibility that board members were surprised or misled. It also notes that many board members may have felt sympathy for those who genuinely believe evolution is a "satanic lie."

The author emphasizes that while individual beliefs should be inviolable, teachers cannot compel belief, only understanding. It is illegitimate for teachers to revise content to fit beliefs, and equally illegitimate for the SBE to ask publishers to misrepresent scientific findings. This practice is seen as insulting to science, religion, and students.

Proclamation 67

While acknowledging progress with Proclamation 66, the author expresses concern that Proclamation 67, introduced in January, still contains familiar anti-evolutionary elements. Proclamation 67 covers Applied Biology, Life Science, Geology, and Physics I and II. The requirement for thorough coverage of historical geology, previously unmet by submitted texts, is reiterated. Evolution is again covered in biology subjects, with a similar schedule to Proclamation 66.

The 6.3 language reappears in Proclamation 67, though the wording is improved. "Alternative" has been removed from "examining alternative scientific evidence," and the "see 6.3" references are absent. The 6.3 language is used in Physics, even though these courses do not typically involve cosmic or stellar evolution. The phrase "And other theories, if any" has been dropped from "scientific evidence of evolution." The only remnant of the anti-evolution language from Proclamation 66 is the use of the plural "scientific theories of evolution," and a tendency to use the word "theory" more often in regard to evolution.

The flap over Proclamation 66 highlighted that science education standards are under attack, and the SBE is capable of influencing textbook standards with popular neuroticism. The February draft of Proclamation 67 corrects most of the problems found in the final version of Proclamation 66, making it instructive to observe how the SBE handles this new proclamation. Readers are encouraged to contact their board members to share their opinions before final action in the second week of March.

For textbook adoptions under Proclamation 66, organizations like Houston-based Broader Perspectives, Inc., and a coalition called Texas for Excellence In Science Textbooks are reviewing texts. People for the American Way has also been involved. Those interested in textbook selections or involvement are directed to contact NTS member Ronnie Hastings.

Notes

The notes section provides references and contact information for further engagement. It includes details on telephone conversations with key individuals, newspaper articles, publications like "Of Pandas and People," and organizations such as the National Center for Science Education. A checklist for citizen involvement in textbook selection is also provided, encouraging contact with SBE members, voting, writing to the TEA, and joining relevant organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the internal organizational changes within the North Texas Skeptics and the ongoing struggle to maintain scientific integrity in public education, particularly concerning the teaching of evolution. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based science education and critical inquiry, as evidenced by the detailed analysis of the Texas textbook proclamations and the critique of fundamentalist influence on curriculum development. The newsletter advocates for informed public participation in educational policy decisions and supports organizations dedicated to defending scientific standards.