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Texas has approved the Grades 6 & 7 Science programs of three major publishers for 2002 local adoption. State law required them to present scientific strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories. Based on their conformity to this rule in treatment of evolution, they rank as follows:
Prentice is better overall. |
6th Grade |
7th Grade |
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| Better | Science Explorer Prentice ©2002 |
Better | Science Explorer Prentice ©2002 |
|
| Better | Texas Science Glencoe ©2002 |
Poor | Texas Science Glencoe ©2002 |
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| Poor | Holt Science & Technology Holt ©2002 |
Poor | Holt Science & Technology Holt ©2002 |
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Why do we rank Science books only by their conformity to state law on evolution? This is important to Texas teachers. In 1998, the two most conforming Biology I books (out of seven) took 58% state market share. In 2000, the two most conforming Grade 5 Science programs (out of four) sold 68% of Texas. In 2002, the two most conforming 6th Grade Science texts outsold the least conforming book by about 4 to 1.
If you live outside Texas, insist on the final Texas editions, which correct factual errors. No publisher funded our reviews in any way. We have no financial stake in any textbook company. Unlike publisher sales reps, we have no monetary interest in any textbook adoption outcome. Our support comes from concerned individuals and a few small foundations, which to our knowledge have no ties to the public school textbook industry.