Science should not be politicized

NEW MEXICO has a rich tradition of supporting scientific advancement through its national laboratories, research universities and industries. Science education in our classrooms is an important aspect of continuing this leadership. A key component of ensuring relevant, up-to-date science education is adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). NGSS are good science and good pedagogy. The standards are better written, more explicit and focus on deep understanding for all students.

The New Mexico Academy of Science has supported the adoption of the NGSS for many years, sending letters to the governor and the Public Education Department in 2013 and 2016 urging its adoption in New Mexico. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have now adopted these standards. The states that have adopted them include both “red” and “blue” states.

We are disappointed that in New Mexico the NGSS terminology has been altered to water down its impact. It is unclear why politics have entered the science education realm here in New Mexico. It is not appropriate to inject politics into our children’s science education. Science education should rely on facts, not PED Secretarydesignate (Christopher) Ruszkowski’s “diversity of perspectives,” where some of these perspectives have no scientific basis.

As a state, we have delayed adoption of new science education standards for years. To now enact a politicized version is unacceptable. The New Mexico Academy of Science supports the Albuquerque Journal’s recent editorial calling for full NGSS adoption. We also note that in 2013 the Public Education Department’s own Math and Science Advisory Council recommended the adoption of these standards. The New Mexico Academy of Science again calls for immediate NGSS adoption in their original form.

DAVID W. PETERS President, New Mexico Academy of Science Albuquerque