$8 Million Slated to Buy Science Texts for Duval The Intelligent Design Debate Doesn't Come in Because the State Chooses Science Standards.
Posted on: Friday, 17 March 2006, 18:00 CST
By TIA MITCHELL
The Duval County School Board is planning to spend $8 million on new science textbooks for all students.
The books come from an array of vendors, depending on the grade level or course. Ed Pratt-Dannals, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said the school system chooses materials that teach science concepts and their applications. This approach is identical to its math philosophy, in which students are encouraged to explore methods of solving problems instead of memorizing rules and facts.
Pratt-Dannals said students are expected to gain a broad knowledge of science processes and know how to use them.
While choosing science textbooks, the district sidestepped a national debate over the emerging theory of intelligent design, which opponents say is a veiled method to introduce creationism in public schools and replace commonly taught theories of evolution.
Because the state Department of Education pre-approves textbook vendors and has created statewide standards that do not include intelligent design, the controversy doesn't affect school districts, Pratt-Dannals said.
Textbooks are chosen from a list of state-approved vendors. The nearly yearlong process of choosing textbooks includes various selection committees, surveys and meetings with publishers.
New textbooks are purchased about every five to six years, Pratt- Dannals said.tia.mitchell@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4425
Source: Florida Times Union
Related Articles
- First Student School Bus Drivers Join Teamsters Local 633
- First Student School Bus Workers Choose Teamsters Union
- Effectiveness of a Highly Rated Science Curriculum Unit for Students With Disabilities in General Education Classrooms
- Siemens Science Day Program Targets Elementary School Students at Fourth Through Sixth Grade to Improve Science Literacy; One Fifth of Students Report Lack of Interest in Science As U.S. Seeks to Bolster Engineering Innovation
- The Co-Production of Student School Rule-Breaking Behaviour
- Instructional Activities And Interest In Science Learning For Adolescent Students
- Rhodia Brings Science to Life for Students across North America During National Chemistry Week
- Tacoma kids 'do science' ; Innovative curriculum gets students involved
- LEARNING: CURRICULUM; Science gets a boost at charter school
- Twenty years of science education in english primary schools
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds