THE DAY after its new members were sworn in, the state school board leaped back into the battle over science standards. A majority of the board voted Tuesday to put the issue on the agenda for later in the day. That will allow the board to consider as early as next month whether to scrap the standards adopted by the board in 2005 — when it was dominated by religious conservatives — and adopt the standards proposed by the board’s own panel of scientific experts.
The quick action was not surprising. In spite of the many issues that face Kansas schools, the single issue in November’s board election was whether a narrow interpretation of one religion should be allowed to influence the way science is taught in public schools.
The voters’ answer could not be called resounding, but it was firm. The election restored a moderate majority to the board. The new board’s one clear mandate from the voters is to undo the mess created by the old board and restore rationality to the curriculum.
Such speed in responding to the wishes of the public should be applauded.
Now the board can get on to other important matters, including hiring a new commissioner of education to replace the now-departed ideologue the old board brought in. The Kansas Department of Education lost focus and experienced staff during Bob Corkins’ brief tenure. It needs new long-term leadership.
The board is doing well to act quickly on restoring the science standards. But this year’s actions will not end the debate about evolution, creation science and creationism. The issue will remain central in every state school board election for years to come, as each side struggles to control the majority.
Perhaps it is time for the board itself to evolve into something more like the Kansas Board of Regents — a competent, appointed panel charged with doing the people’s business rather than questionably able politicians who are trying to curry favor with voter blocs.
In spite of the impression created nationally and in Kansas over the past few years, public education is not a matter of mere politics or social engineering.
Education, like evolution, is a matter of survival.