Texas education officials adopted changes to internal guidance on textbooks that could steer schools to buy books that misinform students about global warming
Well, folks, it looks like Texas is at it again, making headlines for all the wrong reasons. In a move that’s left many scratching their heads (and some shaking their fists), the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents decided to cut over 250 courses from the core curriculum across 11 universities. Yes, you heard that right—250 courses! That’s a lot of academic knowledge being tossed aside like yesterday’s leftovers.
So, what’s the reason behind this mass exodus of educational content? Apparently, a new state law requires all general education classes to be deemed “foundational and fundamental.” Sounds fancy, right? But hold on to your hats, because what this really means is that courses on climate change, women and gender studies, and even Black and Latino history have been deemed less important than, say, your basic math class or an introductory course on the art of folding laundry. I mean, who wouldn’t want to major in that?
Now, before you start throwing your coffee cups at the screen, let’s break this down a bit. The Trump Administration has been known for pushing universities to adopt similar policies, which is like watching a game of hot potato—but instead of a potato, it’s valuable knowledge we’re tossing around. The idea that climate change classes, which provide essential information on one of the biggest challenges facing our planet, are not “foundational” is baffling, to say the least. If only our planet could just take a class on how to be less hot and bothered.
And while these courses can still be taken as electives—because why wouldn’t you want to take a class on climate change as an extra, optional activity?—the reality is that cutting them from the core curriculum could lead to a significant drop in enrollment. Let’s face it: if students can avoid taking a class on climate change in favor of something that sounds more exciting, like “Advanced Spreadsheet Management,” they might just choose the latter. Who wouldn’t want to learn how to make a pie chart instead of understanding the melting ice caps?
But wait, there’s more! The consequences of this decision extend beyond just the classroom. By minimizing the importance of climate education, we’re also sending a message about the value we place on understanding the world around us. It’s like saying, “Hey, future leaders, don’t worry about the environment; just focus on your GPA and getting that degree!”
In a time when the effects of climate change are becoming more pronounced—think wildfires, hurricanes, and floods—it’s crucial that our educational institutions prepare students to tackle these issues head-on. Cutting climate change courses from the core curriculum is akin to teaching a swimming class without ever getting in the pool. Spoiler alert: it’s not going to end well.
So, where do we go from here? Well, if you’re a student in Texas, it might be time to start a petition, rally your fellow classmates, and demand that climate change classes be reinstated as core requirements. Because let’s be real: ignoring climate change is like ignoring a bear in your backyard—it’s not going to go away just because you pretend it’s not there.
In conclusion, while Texas may be cutting classes, let’s hope they don’t cut out the conversation about climate change. The world is counting on the next generation to step up, and they need all the foundational knowledge they can get. So let’s keep talking, keep learning, and most importantly, keep fighting for a future where climate education is front and center. Because if we don’t, we might just find ourselves in a core curriculum that includes more about how to avoid reality than how to save it.
Inspired by: “In Texas, They Are Cutting Classes in Climate Change” (r/climatechange)