Idaho legislators kill updated science standards for reference to climate change

By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff

Looks like Idaho’s standards for science education are stuck in the past for another year.

State senators followed the House’s lead Monday in rejecting the standards, saying insufficient time was allowed for public comment. Idaho Education News reports that the new standards proved controversial for referencing evolution, the age of the Earth and climate change, a first in Idaho’s science education standards.

“It is my belief that this wasn’t done in the best way possible,” Sen. Reed DeMordaunt told Idaho Education News. “It doesn’t mean they weren’t good standards. But before we ever talk about content, we’ve got to be assured the process is open, transparent and invites the public participation.”