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A county school board in Florida took a novel, and sadly necessary, step on February 12, Charles Darwin's birthday. The Monroe County School Board became the first in Florida to specifically endorse new science standards proposed by a committee of prominent scientists, science educators and parents. The state's current standards got an 'F' in a national assessment in 2005, and never even use the word "evolution." Twelve county boards have passed resolutions opposing the new standards, all (wrongly) objecting to the inclusion of evolution as a fundamental component of biology.

As Monroe County board member Debra Walker observed in a public hearing on Monday, those districts objecting to the new standards are among the worst performers on statewide standardized tests. Perhaps they shouldn't be setting the state's science education agenda.

Here's the resolution:

Resolution in Support of Florida's New Science Standards

Whereas the state desires high quality science education be available for all of Florida's students K-20

And

Whereas a scientifically educated workforce will benefit Florida's future economy

And

Whereas Florida's 1996 science standards are in need of revision to
accomplish the stated goals

And

Whereas the Florida DOE supervised an exemplary process to develop new standards based on the best state, national and international models

And

Whereas the Florida DOE recruited an expert panel of teachers, professors and business representatives from the scientific community to revise the standards

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Monroe County School Board supports the new science standards as written and urges their adoption by the State Board of Education at its 19 February, 2008 meeting in Tallahassee.