After Idaho lawmakers this year rejected five new school science standards regarding climate change, the state Department of Education is gathering public input for help.
So far, meetings in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and Fort Hall have drawn comments overwhelmingly in favor of the standards that lawmakers rejected. Meetings are also being held Tuesday in Boise, Wednesday in Lewiston, and Thursday in Coeur d’Alene.
Idaho schools Superintendent Sherri Ybarra says the public hearings are intended as an opportunity for anyone interested to provide feedback, not only on the science standards but other rules that are being proposed, as well.
Also up for review are content standards for driver education and information and communication technology. But so far, all the focus has been on the science standards, which haven’t been updated in 16 years.
The five standards include sections on biodiversity, climate change, and humans’ impact on the environment. They were developed by a 19-member panel of the state’s top science teachers, scientists, and education officials.
The standards set minimum benchmarks for what students should learn in school each year – they don’t prevent schools from teaching additional topics beyond those.
Wednesday’s public hearing in Lewiston runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lewis-Clark State College’s Clearwater River meeting room. (Spokesman-Review)
