It appears that the state of Louisiana has come finally come to its senses when it comes to science education.

The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) voted 8-2 yesterday to approve high school biology textbooks that teach sound science, despite complaints by creationists who felt the books gave too much credibility to the theory of evolution.

Earlier this month, many observers thought the BESE was planning to cave to the Louisiana Family Forum, a Religious Right organization that promotes creationism including its current variant "intelligent design." In response to the LFF's comments and concerns about the newly proposed biology textbooks, the BESE asked a Textbook/Media/Library Advisory Council to review the books and make a recommendation.