Science Curriculum Hearings Suspended

RAWLINS, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Board of Education has suspended work on new standards for science education in public schools until the state Legislature rescinds a recent mandate for those standards.

Board member Pete Gosar says the board approved the resolution 10-1 in Rawlins on Tuesday because it took offense at how lawmakers got involved in the issue.

Last winter, the Legislature and Gov. Matt Mead approved a state budget containing a footnote that prohibits Wyoming from adopting guidelines called the Next Generation Science Standards. Lawmakers expressed concern that the standards endorse the theory of man-made climate change.

The legislation prompted state education officials to begin to re-examine science standards they were planning to adopt.

The Casper Star-Tribune reports Tuesday's vote implements science standards that Wyoming adopted back in 2008.