Nearly a third of Texans believe humans and dinosaurs roamed the earth at the same time, and more than half disagree with the theory that humans developed from earlier species of animals.I wish this astonished me, but given what I read this Sunday about the Texas Board of Education's ideas about the curriculum that ought to make up history, social studies, and government classes it doesn't surprise me at all. My guess is that most of the people polled are Texas high school graduates. Hell, they were probably honors students.
The poll questions were developed by David Prindle, a University of Texas government professor who is quoted saying the "results recall a line from comedian Lewis Black." According to Prindle, Black "did a standup routine a few years back in which he said that a significant proportion of the American people think that the 'The Flintstones' is a documentary. Turns out he was right. Thirty percent of Texans agree that humans and dinosaurs lived on the earth at the same time." If only this were a joke.
My guess is that my state's high school graduates will soon come to the same sorts of conclusions. As my state seeks to make up a huge budget shortfall, it continues to see cutting funds for public education as the best approach to making up the deficit. Of course, they think charter schools are fine, but those pesky public schools are seen as a real problem.
Once they've effectively cleared the country of public schools, I wonder how long it will take for the wingnuts to begin petitioning for the end of public higher education?
Perhaps we need to find a way to help Governor Perry get his wish? Helping Texas secede may be our best hope.
Update: just in case you think I am kidding about the emphasis on charter schools and home schooling in my state, The State Press has this piece about the AZ legislature's move to help home schooled kids get scholarships!
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