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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials involved in drafting proposed science standards dispute an Emporia State University biology professor's criticism of the guidelines as weak. Matt Krehbiel is the state Department of Education official overseeing work on the standards for Kansas public schools. Krehbiel said Tuesday the goal is to concentrate on important core, scientific concepts. And State Board of Education Chairman David Dennis said he thinks the work is moving in the right direction. Emporia State professor John Richard Schrock said earlier Tuesday the proposed standards don't have enough material on such subjects as botany, zoology and microbiology. Kansas is working with 25 other states and the National Research Council on common standards for possible adoption in their public schools. The state board of Education heard an update Tuesday.
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**the following is a previous version of this story from the Associated Press.
Testimony Says New KS School Standards are "Light on Science"
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An Emporia State University biology professor says proposed science standards under consideration for Kansas public schools aren't rigorous enough. Professor John Richard Schrock said Tuesday the proposed standards don't have enough material on such subjects as botany, zoology and microbiology. Schrock says those subjects will get shorted in classrooms if the proposed standards are adopted. Kansas is working with 25 other states and the National Research Council on common standards for possible adoption in their public schools. The State Board of Education was hearing an update Tuesday from the Kansas official overseeing work on the standards and from a member of the state's standards-writing committee. A draft of the proposed standards was released in May and another is expected next month.
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**the following is a previous version of this story from the Associated Press.
Kansas School Board Reviews Science Standards Work
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — State Board of Education members are reviewing the progress of Kansas and other states in drafting common science standards. The board planned to hear Tuesday afternoon from the state official overseeing work on the standards and from a member of the state's standards-writing committee. Kansas is working with 25 other states and the National Research Council on common standards for possible adoption in their public schools. A draft of the proposed standards released in May treats evolution as well-established science and a crucial concept for students to learn. Kansas officials expect another draft to be released in November. Past work on science standards in Kansas has been overshadowed by debates about how evolution should be taught. Kansas currently has evolution-friendly standards, but state law requires them to be updated.