The recent flap over the Kansas State Board of Education's decision to drop knowledge of evolution theory from its science standards has rekindled the perennial science/religion debate in education. This article examines mutual relationships of three knowledge structures (science, mainstream religion, and fringe beliefs) and the middle-ground's…

In 1925, Williams Jennings Bryan, a former congressman from Nebraska and a former Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson, spent two agonizing weeks defending his religious faith that cost him his life a month after. Bryan was a prosecutor of high school teacher John Scopes, who had violated Tennessee state law by teaching the theory of evolution.…

The debate over teaching evolution has once again reached a fever pitch in the United States. Earnest nineteenth-century clashes between scientific and religious worldviews have given way to the politically charged arguments of creation science and now intelligent design. The Web site of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE;…

In examining the literature on materials relating to the evolution-creationism controversy, it was found that there have been no comprehensive bibliographies compiled since the early 1980s. This paper presents an annotated bibliography on the creationism-evolution controversy including materials published or made available since 1980. (ASK)

Elementary and junior high school science textbooks were analyzed for the presence of prerequisite topics on evolution (protoconcepts). Results indicated that coverage of evolutionary protoconcepts varies considerably among published textbooks. Recommendations for teacher analysis of textbooks are provided. (ZWH)

Presents a letter written in response to a videotape presented to a teacher by a student; the videotape denounced evolution on religious grounds. The letter explains some of the biases of the video to the class and the importance of learning about an issue before taking a stand against it. (PVD)

The question of whether "intelligent design" amounts to legitimate science, pseudo-science, or religion masquerading as science has underwent a potentially historic legal test, as a federal court in Pennsylvania considered whether a public school district can require that students be exposed to the controversial concept. Eleven parents…

Discusses the continuing controversy over evolution and creationism and the role that the courts have played. Examines the effects that result from this controversy, such as the overly cautious selection of textbooks by adoption committees and publishers' reluctance to include "questionable" materials in new books. (GEA)

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction defused a potentially explosive situation involving the teaching of biological origins by involving members of the educational community in statewide committees that produced two documents focusing on the distinction between science and religion and providing technical assistance. (DCS)

Presents a philosophical analysis of the creation/evolution conflict in which a deliberate attempt is made to highlight its wider curricular dimension. Argues that literature on the conflict focuses primarily on questions concerning nature of science and avoids discussing of equally pressing curricular/instructional issues, particularly…

Reports results of interviews and tests carried out with students after they had been taught the topic of evolution. Different interpretations of Charles Darwin's theories are also analyzed. Results revealed that students show a poor understanding of evolutionary theories. (ZWH)

Discusses the teaching of evolution in New Zealand during the first half of the twentieth century. Reports that evolution instruction began formally in the 1920s but was withdrawn 30 years later amid protests. Observes that the teaching of evolution predated the 1920s in muted form. Describes the roles of broadcasting and religion in the dispute.…

Reviews 100 years of history and focuses on the relationship between socially controversial biological issues and the decision-making procedures in the construction of the national curriculum. Contains 39 references. (DDR)

The creation/evolution controversy can be best thought of as a contest over control of a portion of educational policy. Scientists do not dispute the right of fundamentalist Christians to believe that Genesis is a history and a science textbook. The difficulty arises when fundamentalists seek to bring their sectarian religious faith into biology…

Questions a hypothesis from creation science dealing with mammals. Claims that, when tested, the hypothesis fails in two ways. (TW)