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The Board did go after other amendments to high school courses today, but they were mostly a matter of tidying up loose ends, and not adding in ideology...

Gail Lowe (R-The Faction, Lampasas) changes Aquatic Science 3F—“explore and describe the contribution of scientists”—change to “research and describe.”

CHEMISTRY
Lowe amends 1A about lab safety includes wording implying all safety equipment are to be used in all investigations and mandatory language (“including”). Puts words “the appropriate use of…” to make it more appropriately optional. (Not all lab activities need fire extinguishers.)

Bob Craig (R-Lubbock, but NOT The Faction) wants to hear about math pre-requisites from Texas Education Agency staff, but they say they’ve been instructed by the Board to remain neutral, and not to prepare recommendations. (The issue is that chemistry requirements call for a calculation-heavy course, but the math prerequisites have been loosened.) Barbara Cargill (R-The Faction, The Woodlands) says how to handle conceptual vs. calculation-based is up to schools and should be a local control issue.

ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
Lowe amends 9G: “analyze how ethical beliefs can be used to influence scientific practices used as methods to increase food production.” Global warming is removed, because it is already covered in a number of other places. (Implies existence of global warming is a scientific “practice”.) Adopted unanimously.

Mavis Knight (D-Dallas) wants to add a new 9L: “Discuss the different views on global warming.” Accepts friendly amendment from Pat Hardy (R-Weatherford, but NOT The Faction) to “Analyze and evaluate the different views on the existence of global warming.” Adopted unanimously.

No Amendments to Integrated Physics and Chemistry or Physics, and the motion carries unanimously to approve the TEKS as amended, pending the FINAL vote of the Board tomorrow (Friday).