Discusses the following complaints about schools that, though brought up by religious fundamentalists, are deserving of consideration by more liberal Americans and educators: (1) neglect of moral values; (2) over-emphasis on the value of objectivity; (3) school management practices; and (4) a curriculum robbed of any point that might lead to…

Discusses the process of state textbook adoption and how this process influences the subject matter that will prevail throughout the country. Elaborates on the Texas textbook adoption system as an example of a statewide selection procedure. (GEA)

Examines issues and events related to Liberty Baptist College's (LBC) request to have the Virginia Board of Education approve LBC's biology program for teacher training. Criteria used in evaluating the program and interpretations of various individuals involved in the controversy are included. (JN)

Arkansas passed a law requiring Bible reading in public schools in 1930, two years after passing an antievolution act. Votes on both measures, which were the result of initiatives, are compared to explain the forces that produced them. The source of support of fundamentalism is traditional southern religious attitudes. (Author/IS)

Compares and contrasts the theories of creationism and evolution. Includes a National Science Teachers Association position statement on the inclusion of nonscience theories in science instruction. (SK)

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)

Presents a letter responding to an article on the theological basis for a Judeo-Christian position on creationism. Also presents the author's response to the letter, examining such issues as the general lack of understanding by creationists of the nature of both science and modern biblical criticism. (JN)

Suggests that Genesis is not a scientific treatment of the earth's origin/age, but is a primitive religious history of Israel and a polemic against much of the theology of the Babylonian creation myth. Indicates that Genesis narrative and conclusions of science belong to different spheres of knowledge. Educational implications are addressed. (JM)

Thurstone's Scale No. 30, Form A was used to survey attitudes of introductory college biology students (N=120) toward evolution. Results indicate the majority of these students believe in the theory of evolution. In addition, two demographic variables, sex and church influence, produced a significant correlation with the attitude scores.…

Discusses an 84-question survey administered to a random sample of Pennsylvania school districts focusing on the Christian community which has voiced the most concerns about teaching evolution in the schools. Thirty-nine percent of responding high school teachers felt creation science should be taught in the public school. Comparisons are also…

Describes four court cases involving confrontation between the theory of evolution and the theory of creation: the Scopes trial, the Seagraves trial, Arkansas Act 590, and the Louisiana law. Provides 64 references on the issue. (YP)

Examined is the extent to which teachers actually hold pseudoscientific beliefs. Described are the study design, sources of pseudoscientific belief, and correlates with various types of pseudoscientific beliefs. Results indicate that many high school biology and life science teachers endorse these beliefs. Implications of this study are discussed.…

Evolution is considered by virtually all biologists to be the central unifying principle of biology, yet its fundamental concepts are not widely understood or widely disseminated. Teaching evolution--defined as descent with modification from a common ancestor as a result of natural selection acting on genetic variation--has traditionally been a…

The establishment clause of the First Amendment permits public school instruction that serves secular educational goals, but it forbids instruction that instills religious beliefs in children. Although the free exercise clause protects those who oppose such secular courses, their sole remedy is partial or total exemption from the courses. (MLF)

Six books written in response to creationist arguments are reviewed. Indicates that the books should be of great utility in educating students in the sciences and in presenting the case for science, as separate from religion, to the uncommitted public. (JN)