Stupidity has consequences

Or, more accurately, refusing to teach students science has consequences for those students.

To the news that schools are taking a critical look at high school curricula in terms of science, I say good. Students who aren't taught basic skills like science should not be in accredited institutes of higher education. I hope that the University of Minnesota and other Minnesota schools are doing the same thing.

At the same time, this is more evidence that education, like health care, can never be the beautiful free market that some conservatives believe. It is sad that as a result of the shortsighted beliefs of their parents, children who have no say in what is taught in schools may have to suffer their entire lives. I don't think kids are pushing Creationism in schools, but when parents inflict their ignorance on others, the kids suffer. In addition, the problems take years to manifest themselves. Curriculum decisions may not reveal their full consequences for ten years or more. A market where the effects aren't felt for years can't be a free market.

So in order to protect the education of all of our youth, we can't allow this nonsense to be taught in our schools. I think I would prefer to live in a world where our children are responsible for technological breakthroughs, not Korean or Chinese children.