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HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



Congressman Harkin made these extemporaneous remarks during 

 the subcommittee hearings: 



Philosophers have dreamed for centuries oi a< ountry, of a Nation, where freedom 

 of thought, inquir) oi any nature would not be subject to the political pressures of the 

 monarchy or dictator. I (eel whenever inquiry and freedom ot thought is placed 

 beyond the realm ot the politician, then that country acquired a spiritual strength 

 that makes it, in fatt, a beacon of liberty in the world. That is what I want to pro- 

 tect. I don't want to become another Soviet Union or China, where all scientific 

 thought is dictated, where people are channelized into their programs. I want free- 

 dom ot whatever nature, social sciences, hard sciences —freedom to inquire and to 

 challenge, the freedom to challenge the most deeply rooted belief that people hold. 

 Only by doing that can people really change and grow. 



THE MOUDY REPORT ON MACOS 



In October, the Moudy report was released, endorsed by seven 

 of the eight panel members. A key to the cause of the controversy is 

 contained in these conclusions: 



MACOS is undoubtedly an extremely powerful course. As with any powetful 

 tool, there exist possibilities for advantageous use and for misuse. * * * Only a patient ; 

 skilled and perceptive teacher can handle value-laden materials and topics in such a 

 wa) .is io avoid telling the student what he should think, to cause the pupil to think 

 for himself, and to cause the student to respect his own views, his parents' views, and 

 the views of others. A course such as MACOS confronts the unsophisticated, malle- 

 able, pre-pubertal youngster with an array of some of the most painful decisions 

 mankind ever faces. We compliment the MACOS developers for insisting on special 

 training for every MACOS teacher. * * * From reports reaching us, we believe that 

 the surest success of MACOS has come in those schools where ample preparations 

 were made, including conferences with parents to show them in advance the MACOS 

 materials, and to explain the purposes and methods of the course. 



The Moudy committee recommended that although NSF should 

 continue precollege science curriculum development, there should be 

 some changes in procedure. The report warned that neither NSF nor 

 Congress could escape responsibility for the quality and content of 

 curricula funded by NSF. It was recommended that parents be added to 

 reviewing groups, that there be closer monitoring by NSF, and no- 

 favoritism policy in marketing subsidized materials. With respect to 

 MACOS, it was suggested that NSF's "implementation" activities be 

 ended, "except for regular processes of information dissemination and 

 training programs in which more than a single curriculum is offered." 

 It was further recommended that teacher materials include: 



Statements cautioning teachers regarding their handling of cultural differences 

 and contrasting value systems, with careful attention to honoring the diverse value 

 systems of the homes from which their pupils come. 



To shield local communities against being unduly influenced by the 

 Federal Government, the Moudy Study Committee recommended that 



