Should students be allowed to learn about scientific challenges to the modern version of Darwin’s theory of evolution? Or should instructors who teach "both sides" of the controversy be punished for it? Next week the Texas State Board of Education will consider the state’s science requirement (adopted in 2009) that students "analyze and evaluate" core tenets of Darwinian evolution. As one of the country’s largest purchasers of school textbooks, Texas is extremely influential. On textbooks, as Texas goes, so goes the nation.

Today on the Michael Medved Show’s Science & Culture Update, Stephen Meyer (Darwin’s Doubt) will debate professional skeptic Michael Shermer about how to teach Darwinian evolution in the public school classroom — whether in Texas or your own state. Join Medved, Meyer and Shermer for a candid discussion, 1 pm Pacific time or 4 pm Eastern. Hear live on the radio or online here.

Dr. Meyer participated as an expert witness in hearings before the State Board of Education about science standards in Texas in 2009. Dr. Shermer is the author most recently of The Believing Brain: From Ghosts, Gods, and Aliens to Conspiracies, Economics, and Politics — How the Brain Constructs Beliefs and Reinforces Them as Truths. He is editor-in-chief of Skeptic magazine.