Category Archives for Don McLeroy

Oh Please, Don, Let Us Roll Our Eyes at You Even Harder

On Thursday Donna Bahorich was appointed the new chair of the Texas State Board of Education. In this Houston Chronicle story on Bahorich’s appointment, a former chair, Don McLeroy, left the following comment: I find it ironic that it its Mr. Ratliff, and the Texas Freedom Network(By the way, thank you for not including them […]

Also posted in Donna Bahorich, State Board of Education, TFNEF | 4 Comments

Don McLeroy and His ‘False Ideas’ about Science — Total Defeat

“False ideas are the greatest obstacle to progress. Evolution, the idea that all life is descended from a common ancestor, is a false idea.” — Don McLeroy (@DonMcLeroy) November 26, 2014 “False ideas are the greatest obstacle to progress. Evolution, the idea that all life is descended from a common ancestor, is a false idea.” […]

Also posted in climate change, evolution, science | 2 Comments

50th Anniversary: What Will Texas Students Learn about the Civil Rights Movement?

Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That landmark legislation bars discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Its enactment came after decades of struggle by civil rights advocates in the face of virulent opposition — opposition that often resorted to brutality and even murder. President Johnson didn’t sweep away […]

Also posted in civil and equal rights, David Barton, TFNEF | 3 Comments

A Teachable Moment for the Texas State Board of Education

Four American presidents are coming to Austin this week for the Civil Rights Summit at the LBJ Presidential Library on the University of Texas campus. The event, which lasts from Tuesday to Thursday, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This anniversary year is, as educators say, a […]

Also posted in social studies adoption (2014), TFNEF | 1 Comment

Creationist Former SBOE Chair Endorses Challenger in Key Texas Ed Board Race

Don McLeroy, who infamously declared that “somebody’s gotta stand up to experts” in the debate over teaching evolution in public school science classrooms, has waded into a key Texas State Board of Election (SBOE) election contest. Eric Mahroum announced on Jan. 29 that the creationist former SBOE chair is backing his challenge to incumbent Pat Hardy […]

Also posted in 2014 Texas SBOE elections, Eric Mahroum, Lady Theresa Thombs, Pat Hardy, TFN | 6 Comments

Don McLeroy Responds

Don McLeroy, the arch-creationist former chairman of the State Board of Education, is displeased over how some folks have interpreted his public hearing testimony last week about proposed new biology textbooks for Texas high schools. Here’s how the San Antonio Current describes his testimony in a story published online today: While McLeroy described some of the evolution […]

Also posted in creationism, evolution, intelligent design, Science adoption (2013), State Board of Education, TFNEF | 23 Comments

Don McLeroy’s Strange Testimony on Texas Science Textbooks: ‘Support the Bible, and Adopt These Books’

In something of a tour de farce, on Tuesday arch-creationist and former State Board of Education chairman Don McLeroy returned to the same state board meeting room in which he led efforts to rewrite science curriculum standards for Texas public schools in 2008-09. Those controversial standards, he hoped, would “strike a blow” against evolution in science […]

Also posted in creationism, evolution, intelligent design, Science adoption (2013), State Board of Education, TFNEF | 22 Comments

Want to Know Why Texas Is STILL Arguing about Evolution?

Many have been mystified that, even in the 21st century, Texas remains embroiled in a heated debate over evolution. In 2008 and 2009, for example, creationists on and off the State Board of Education insisted that new science curriculum standards for Texas public schools include requirements that would open classroom doors to anti-evolution junk science. […]

Also posted in creationism, evolution, science, science and religion, State Board of Education, TFNEF | 35 Comments

Even Don McLeroy Gives a ‘Thumbs Up’ to TFN Education Fund’s Report on Bible Classes

Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Bud Kennedy has an interesting Twitter post: “Ex-SBOE Chair @DonMcLeroy likes @TFN’s report on preachy Bible lessons: “I agree. That shouldn’t be in  public schools.” Well, good for Don. Maybe he can help persuade fellow creationists who sit on the state board now that they should adopt real curriculum standards that […]

Also posted in Bible in schools, TFNEF | 2 Comments

Another Big Setback for the Far Right on Texas State Board of Education

Last night’s State Board of Education elections marked another big step toward an end to the culture wars in Texas public school classrooms. With the defeat of incumbent Charlie Garza, R-El Paso, the state board’s faction of far-right ideologues should be smaller next year than at any time since before the 2006 elections. Zooming out […]

Also posted in 2012 Elections, 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Charlie Garza, Cynthia Dunbar, Gail Lowe, Martha Dominguez, Terri Leo, TFNEF | 16 Comments