tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776587.post3444522575742861311..comments2023-11-03T04:00:24.785-04:00Comments on Kentucky School News and Commentary: What's Next For Kentucky's New Science Standards?Richard Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14586435007687942849noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776587.post-42881020078680549282013-09-15T20:18:20.509-04:002013-09-15T20:18:20.509-04:00Invites political intervention?!?!?I get the sense...Invites political intervention?!?!?I get the sense that we crossed that bridge for good or bad a long, long time ago (I would say more toward the later though). Whether good intentioned or politically self serving, legislator have been monkeying around with KY education for a couple of centuries now - and it generally seems to come down to money and at best lip service about the importance of education.<br /><br />If they cared about education and the state, they would have moved ahead with tax reform focused on current and future conditions, not of the last century. Instead, they continue to shift expense to locals while maintaining control over expectations. Pretty darn political as it gets.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776587.post-76163040018471806392013-09-15T19:13:54.553-04:002013-09-15T19:13:54.553-04:00I read recently (in Ed Week I think) that Kentuck...I read recently (in Ed Week I think) that Kentucky is unusual among states for even having a legislative review committee. In nearly all states the legislature passes the law and the state board and department of educations write regs and implement the law. The Kentucky process invites political intervention.Richard Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586435007687942849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776587.post-31758199552330350562013-09-15T11:20:36.964-04:002013-09-15T11:20:36.964-04:00I agree with the above post, but I'm glad Gove...I agree with the above post, but I'm glad Governor Beshear stepped forward. The commenter is correct: Beshear knows nothing about science standards, but with one stroke he is took away the right of fundamentalist Christians to determine what will be taught in our schools. The Governor is to be commended for this action.<br /><br />As we have seen from the activities of Martin Cothran and his Family Foundation, religious zealotry is eager to undermine secular education.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776587.post-72456523289969988532013-09-15T10:50:52.378-04:002013-09-15T10:50:52.378-04:00What is the point of even having a review system i...<i>What is the point of even having a review system if the governor can just override their determination?</i><br /><br />What's the point of having a Department of Education and reviews by science education experts if a legislative committee who doesn't know anything about science can just overrule them? Do you think the Legislature itself is capable of writing new educational standards? Do you really believe those five people who voted against the standards are well versed in scientific thought? Do you really?<br /><br /> The process went off the rails here: the Governor did the right thing.KY Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776587.post-79499462714148736282013-09-15T00:12:16.710-04:002013-09-15T00:12:16.710-04:00You know what is so ridiculous - the sense of urge...You know what is so ridiculous - the sense of urgency as though science teachers across Kentucky are either teaching falsehoods, antequated curriculum or nothing at all. This elitist attitude that the public (like teachers) and even this review committee can not be trusted with this type of decision and those in power must basically override the vetting process for the larger good which only those learned leaders can determine.<br /><br />Governor Bashear has about as much expertise and experience with science curriculum as he does brain surgery. What is the point of even having a review system if the governor can just override their determination? Why even bother with soliciting public opinion or expert development of any element which the state so determines to be within its domain of control. What next, Governor determing the proper catch limit for bass, the best material for state trooper uniforms or maybe the proper warming temperatures for buffet food?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776587.post-33592463610739774132013-09-14T11:14:59.379-04:002013-09-14T11:14:59.379-04:00I do not want the Baptists, Methodists, or the con...I do not want the Baptists, Methodists, or the conservative Catholics (You know, the ones who teach at private schools and say gay marriage threatens liberty) to determine what will be taught to my children at a public, supposedly secular school. I will support Governor Steve Beshear in any way possible to sideline religious zealotry disguised as "conservative thought."<br /><br />Thank you, Dr. Day, for making us aware of what is going in education. I feel I'm informed thanks to this important discussion board.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com