Kansas Citizens for Science

State Board of Education Candidate Questionnaire

 

Candidate’s name ___Jana Shaver_____________________

 

1.      As a State Board of Education member, which of the following organizations would you trust to inform your decision-making in regards to science?  Check all that apply.   

a. American Association for the Advancement of Science

__X_

b. The Intelligent Design Network

____

c. The National Academies of Science

__X_

d. The Discovery Institute

____

e. The American Institute of Biological Sciences

__X_

f. Answers in Genesis

____

g. The National Science Teachers Association

__X_

h. The Institute for Creation Research

____

i. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change                  

____

j. Marshall Institute                                                                   

____

 

Other organizations you trust in the area of science: (Please name)

 

I would suggest the Kansas Association of Teachers of Science and the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. I admit that I am not familiar with all the organizations that might provide input for science standards. (I was a reading teacher!) And, I may not have checked all of the organizations above that might provide good input. I believe that we must seek input from the most credible, well recognized organizations that base their recommendations on scientific fact and theories.

 

2.      Would you, if elected, propose revising the science standards before the next regularly scheduled revision, or support such a revision if another board member proposed it?

 

No, I would not.

 

3.      Do you support an age-appropriate, medically-accurate, comprehensive approach to sex education for the students of Kansas?

 

Yes, I do.

 

4.      What is the role of State Board of Education members in the crafting of curricular standards?

 

The State Board should appoint a committee made up of teachers in that curricular area and other experts in the field. The State Board should let that committee do its work and then review their findings. If there are questions, the questions should go back to the committee. Finally, the State Board should respect and approve the committees work and recommendations.

 

5.      Do you have any other comments about science education you would wish to share with the voters of Kansas?

 

I believe that it is critical for our students to be prepared to compete in a global economy by having an up-to-date, quality education which includes top notch science courses. To this end, I believe that our standards must be based on the work and recommendations of the most respected and credible science organizations.