Science Framework, part 1 - Free Downloads (CA Dept of Education)

ixState Board of Education Policy onthe Teaching of Natural SciencesThe domain of the natural sciencesis the natural world. Science islimited by its tools—observablefacts and testable hypotheses.Discussions of any scientific fact, hypothesis,or theory related to the origins ofthe universe, the earth, and life (the how)are appropriate to the science curriculum.Discussions of divine creation, ultimatepurposes, or ultimate causes (the why) areappropriate to the history–social scienceand English–language arts curricula.Nothing in science or in any otherfield of knowledge shall be taught dogmatically.Dogma is a system of beliefsthat is not subject to scientific test andrefutation. Compelling belief is inconsistentwith the goal of education; the goal isto encourage understanding.To be fully informed citizens, studentsdo not have to accept everything that istaught in the natural science curriculum,but they do have to understand the majorstrands of scientific thought, including itsmethods, facts, hypotheses, theories, andlaws.A scientific fact is an understandingbased on confirmable observations and issubject to test and rejection. A scientifichypothesis is an attempt to frame a questionas a testable proposition. A scientifictheory is a logical construct based on factsand hypotheses that organizes and explainsa range of natural phenomena. Scientifictheories are constantly subject to testing,modification, and refutation as new evidenceand new ideas emerge. Because scientifictheories have predictive capabilities,they essentially guide further investigations.From time to time natural scienceteachers are asked to teach content thatdoes not meet the criteria of scientific fact,hypothesis, and theory as these terms areused in natural science and as defined inthis policy. As a matter of principle, scienceteachers are professionally bound tolimit their teaching to science and shouldresist pressure to do otherwise. Administratorsshould support teachers in this regard.Philosophical and religious beliefs arebased, at least in part, on faith and are notsubject to scientific test and refutation.Such beliefs should be discussed in thesocial science and language arts curricula.The Board’s position has been stated in theHistory–Social Science Framework (adoptedby the Board). 1 If a student should raise aquestion in a natural science class that theteacher determines is outside the domainof science, the teacher should treat thequestion with respect. The teacher shouldexplain why the question is outside thedomain of natural science and encouragethe student to discuss the question furtherwith his or her family and clergy.Neither the California nor the UnitedStates Constitution requires that time begiven in the curriculum to religious viewsin order to accommodate those who objectto certain material presented or activitiesconducted in science classes. It may beunconstitutional to grant time for thatreason.Nothing in the California EducationCode allows students (or their parents orNote: This policystatement on theteaching of naturalsciences, which wasadopted by theState Board ofEducation in 1989,supersedes theState Board’s 1972AntidogmatismPolicy.