After the governor of Wyoming took the unprecedented step of barring funds for a new set of science standards, a letter from his office suggested that his action was partially a result of skepticism over climate change.
In early March, Gov. Matthew Mead approved a budget that prohibited the state from spending funds to review or adopt the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), a set of new education standards that have been adopted by 11 states in an effort to make sure students are being taught rigorous, up-to-date information.
The standards have proved controversial in some states because they treat climate change and evolution as fact. Wyoming is no exception to this controversy.
Although a committee of teachers unanimously approved the standards and recommended the state Board of Education adopt them, the governor’s budget was approved before the board could make a decision.
At the time, some speculated the governor’s position on climate change contributed to his opposition to the NGSS -- a belief that was apparently confirmed in a letter to Climate Parents, a group that promotes science education across the country.
“Governor Mead has expressed concern with the role that scientists play in coming to political conclusions regarding climate change,” says the letter from the Office of the Governor's Education Policy Advisor Mary Kay Hill. “The state’s standards should be written to ensure that a science education is free from political influence.”
Lisa Hoyos, Climate Parents president, told The Huffington Post she was appalled by the letter.
“We are consistently surprised at the degree to which someone with the stature of the Wyoming governor rejects climate science and rejects the importance of providing our kids with accurate information in their K-12 education,” Hoyos said.
Hoyos also said she was confused about the letter’s reference to scientists who were coming to “political conclusions.” She said she believes that “politicians are rejecting proven science because of their ties to the fossil fuel industry.”
She pointed to statements made by Ron Micheli, chair of the Board of Education, as an example of the ties potentially impacting the NGSS adoption process.
At a Board of Education meeting last week where members were deciding what to do about science standards in the state following the governor’s budget, Micheli reportedly noted that much of teachers’ salaries are paid for by revenue from state mineral taxes, The Casper Star Tribune reports.
"Never at any time have I opposed the discussion of climate change," Micheli said, according to the outlet. "I think we can have a rational discussion. ... But it has to be fair, balanced, and it has to be based on the economy of this state."
In an phone interview with HuffPost, Mary Kay Hill clarified some of the letter’s statements.
“When the governor talks about climate change he says ‘I’m a little bit of a skeptic,’” Hill said. “Does that mean [he doesn’t] want children to learn about that and come to their own conclusions? He just wants to be sure the standards as written do not imply there is only one cause of climate change.”
When asked whether Wyoming's ties to the fossil fuel industry have impacted opposition to science standards that ostensibly cast fossil fuels in a negative light, Hill said that “it is a concern in Wyoming that there has been a ‘war on coal.’” Regardless, she said, because the state has a natural resource-based economy, there is still a vested interested in science education.
“We know in Wyoming we have to have strong science curriculum. Our economy demands we produce science,” Hill said.
At the meeting last week, the Board of Education voted to send the NGSS back to the state Department of Education for review and potential revisions.
“I think there’s hope expressed by some on the [Board of Education] that [the Department of Education will] be able to take a look at NGSS and write them in a format people will find more satisfactory,” state Board of Education member Peter Gosar, who supports NGSS, told HuffPost. “Whether that’s able to be done, that’s another question.”
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.