In order to effectively teach evolution to all students, even those resistant to learning evolution, science teachers may question the extent to which religion can legally be discussed in the public high school science classroom. Evolution is taught from a variety of approaches, each of which has legal implications. Four approaches to teaching…

South Carolina biology Indicator 5.6 calls for students to "Summarize ways that scientists use data from a variety of sources to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory" (South Carolina Department of Education, 2006). Levinson and Sutton (2001) offered a sociocultural approach to policy that considers cultural…

Darwinian evolution is a robustly supported scientific theory. Yet creationists continue to challenge its teaching in American public schools. Biology teachers in all 50 states are responsible for teaching science content standards that include evolution. As products of their backgrounds and affiliations teachers bring personal attitudes and…

It is widely believed that the end of Nazism, and the postwar era brought an end to academic theories and discourses regarding inherent racial inferiority. There was little tolerance Hawkins (1997) argues, for biological justifications for racism, war, and exploitation. The infamous Social Darwinism of key intellectual Herbert Spencer, and its…

This brief review of the Supreme Court case, Edwards v. Aquillard, which struck down a Louisiana statute that prohibited the teaching of evolutionary theory in the public schools unless "creation science" was also taught, considers the ruling's implications on school policies and practices. (CB)

Describes the current movement to elevate biblical creationism to a scientific theory to be taught alongside evolution in the public schools. Focuses on the strategies and influence of pro "scientific creationism" groups and reviews pending legislation that would mandate equal teaching time for creationism. (GC)

Reports the current situation in a number of states regarding the controversy of teaching evolution and creatonist theories in science classes. (JR)

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;…

This review of selected creationism/evolution cases illustrates that neutrality toward religion has not been achieved by the current understanding and application of the First Amendment. Nine cases are cited and discussed: (1) "Wright v. Houston Independent School District" (1970); (2) "Williams v. Board of Education of the County of Kanawha"…

Describes current attempts to legislate a requirement for schools to teach creation and evolution in South Carolina. Implications for this movement for the entire nation are discussed. (SL)

Some of the testimony of the scientists supporting creation science in the creationism trial in Little Rock, Arkansas, is reported. (PB)

Discusses an Arkansas State law that required balanced treatment of creationism and evolution in the study of human origins. Describes arguments for and against the law as presented at a courtroom trial in which it was decided that the law was unconstitutional, and that creationism had no legitimate educational purpose. (Author/MJL)

Presents a unit on evolution and creation theories in which students explore the legal issues surrounding the teaching of evolution and creation in biology. Students write preliminary essays, study conflict resolution techniques, and conduct a moot trial of the Scopes case of 1925. A course outline is provided. (MDH)

Legislation, rulings, and arguments for and against public schools giving creationism equal time or consideration with evolution are discussed. In the 1920's fundamentalists began to promote statutes prohibiting the teaching of evolution in public schools. Since that time the creationists have sought to supplant evolution with creationism on the…

As the United States became urban, industrialized and heterogeneous a century ago, politically powerful groups decided state laws must mandate their values in public schools. This article describes three crusades: for temperance instruction, for compulsory Bible reading and the banning of Darwin, and for patriotic rituals and Americanization. (MT)