It is the year 2017, and a debate over evolution and climate science is complicating the adoption of new science standards for elementary and secondary school students in Louisiana.
Backers hope the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will endorse the standards, first in committee Tuesday and then by the full board Wednesday.
The state has the third oldest standards in the nation, and students routinely rank low nationally in tests of science skills.
But how evolution is dealt with in some courses is sparking concern, and state officials expect public opposition to the changes when a BESE committee considers the issue starting around 1 p.m. Tuesday.
The “concern” over evolution (and other scientific matters) is being “sparked” by the usual suspects.
Gene Mills, president of the Louisiana Family Forum, said Monday he has a variety of concerns about the proposed guidelines.
In one case, Mills said, climate change and global warming are unfairly treated as foregone conclusions.
He said the changes would do to science what Common Core did to math and English.
"I think we are creating some unnecessary distractions when it comes to public education," Mills said.
You see, before Common Core, 1+1 equaled 2. Now? Who knows?