Summary box: Climate debate looms for states

Published October 26, 2012 5:21pm ET



NEW FLASHPOINT: Climate change looms as a potential source of conflict as Kansas and 25 other states consider adopting proposed science standards that they’re developing together with the National Research Council.

POLITICAL CONTEXT: Five of 10 seats on the Kansas State Board of Education are on the ballot in the Nov. 6 election, and the winning candidates and hold-over board members face a decision next year on adopting new science standards. Candidates are used to questions about science standards because of past debates over evolution.

POTENTIAL CHANGES: The multi-state standards under development could encourage public schools to include more material in their courses about climate change and how human activity affects it.