Gov. Steve Beshear (D) is making national headlines with his surprising decision to implement Next Generation Science Standards after a legislative review committee rejected the standards earlier this week.

Kentuckians across the state are opposing the standards, citing inferiority to current standards, as well as inclusion of evolution and climate change on grounds of religion and politics. The Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee voted 5 to 1 against Next Gen.

Kentucky politicians are divided on this legislation. House District 2 Rep. Richard Heath (R) commented on the governor’s decision. “I wasn’t happy with that. It seems to me like if you have a committee appointed to make that decision than that committee’s decision should stand.”

Kentucky teachers too are closely watching the legislative action that will determine their future curriculum. Graves County High School science teacher Beth Shadrick had the opportunity to view the Next Gen. standards, and commented. “I’ve spent two years working with a science network through the University of Kentucky in which we examined each Next Generation draft. There are improvements in the Next Generation standards and there are gaps.”

In a press release from the Kentucky Department of Education, Com. Dr. Terry Holiday said “We appreciate the Governor’s courage and wisdom in executing his legal authority to implement the Kentucky Core Academic Standards in science.”