Defeat of “Alternative Facts” bill (SB 55) is a “victory for South Dakota students.”

Parents are applauding the South Dakota House Education committee for rejecting a bill that would have allowed “alternative facts” to be taught in science classrooms. SB 55 would have allowed miseducation of students about climate change and other topics, with local or state administrators unable to intervene. After passing the South Dakota Senate, it was defeated by the House Education Committee by a 6-9 vote.Climate Parents, a pro-science education organization of parents, grandparents and families, delivered a petition to the House Education Committee in opposition to SB 55 that was signed by nearly 1500 parents and other science education supporters from South Dakota and across the country. Link to the petition HERE.

“Today’s defeat of the ‘alternative facts’ science bill, SB 55, is a victory for South Dakota students parents, science teachers,  and everyone who cares about the quality and integrity of science education in South Dakota.” Said Lisa Hoyos, Director of Climate Parents. “It’s essential that students learn evidence-based science so that they have the tools to innovate solutions to challenges they’ll confront over their lifetimes—from curing disease to addressing climate change.”

Scores of education and scientific organizations joined parents in opposing SB 55, including the National Center for Science Education, the American Institute of Biological Sciences, the National Science Teachers Association, the National Association of Biology Teachers, the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, the National Council Against Censorship, the Associated School Boards of South Dakota, the South Dakota Department of Education, the School Administrators of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Education Association.