More state school standards include evolution, finds a nationwide report card, but coverage of human evolution is "abysmal."
Nationwide, 40 states receive passing grades, compared to 31 in 2000, finds the Evolution Outreach & Education journal report led by Louise Mead of the National Center for Science Education in Berkeley, Calif. But only 7 states adequately cover human evolution, the survey finds.
"State science standards chart the course for science education in America, affecting curriculum, textbook adoptions, and ultimately what teachers are -- and aren't -- allowed to teach," says Mead, in a statement.
"Unfortunately, even if state science standards accurately reflect the central role of evolution in biology, there is no guarantee that evolution will be taught effectively," says the study, noting surveys showing significant numbers of biology teachers prefer creationism.
By Dan Vergano for USA Today
Photo: State grades for teaching evolution overall (National Center For Science Education)
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Does your school district do an adequate job teaching human evolution? Or is creationism taught?
Which do you prefer be taught in your local public school system?
Creationism has no business being in public school science classrooms or curricula.
This would be b/c of one simple but heart-of-the-matter point: creationism is not science.
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I think both should be taught in schools and both as a theory. IF not then they should both be left out of schools. Or have it where its the parents choice if the child takes the class. I know that some districts have it where u have to be taught evolution to graduate. Thank God our district allow us to take our children out during this time. In HS he took classes to full his credit without taking the class that would teach evolution. Not that my son doesnt' know about the theory of evolution I taught him about that when I home-schooled but I taught him what it is, a theory, not a fact.
Creationism is not subscribing to a certain religion. Constitutionally, public associations cannot endorse a specific religion, it does not say they have to completely ignore the existence of religion. There is no problem mentioning both. My public school taught evolution but did mention certain aspects that religious sects might disagree with and why.
And any science that wouldn't include the possibility for the existence of God isn't very "scientific", since God's existence, or lack thereof, cannot be proven. Science should be search for truth, not decidedly secular in some attempt to spite The Church for past ills. The most logical position on the existence of God is agnostic.
Teach evolution in school - teach creationism at home. That way the kids get a scientific approach from the secular public school system and parents can give their religious teaching at home (or at church), which is where personal opinions about how the world is formed really need to be taught.
It just makes it that much easier for the parents to control the religious curriculum, and I have no idea why they would have an issue with this.
We homeschool and teach both. We teach evolution as a theory. Before anyone gets bent out of shape my daughter just graduated public highschool with high honors in science and won the school's science award. She still thinks evolution is just a theory. They are aware of it, but do not believe in it.
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When did evolution become a fact and not just a theory? It is the theory of evolution. There is no proof for evolution because it isn't true. God created the world. The Bible tells us how. I have a problem with evolution being taught as a fact in public schools and not letting teachers bring up creation. The reason our society is going downhill is because we are pushing God out of our lives.
Exactly............well said!
Quoting Blueroses_78:
Teach evolution in school - teach creationism at home. That way the kids get a scientific approach from the secular public school system and parents can give their religious teaching at home (or at church), which is where personal opinions about how the world is formed really need to be taught.
It just makes it that much easier for the parents to control the religious curriculum, and I have no idea why they would have an issue with this.
Evolution should be taught as theory and Creationism should not be taught at all because you can't do it without bringing religion into it, and religion has no place in Public Schools.
And what about those who are atheist or agnostic - are their rights not as important as yours? I would be greatly offended if I discovered that the public school system where my child was enrolled was teaching creationism - if you wish your children to have a religious eduction send them to a regligious school.
Science is based on fact - not faith.
Quoting iluvmommyhood58:
Creationism is not subscribing to a certain religion. Constitutionally, public associations cannot endorse a specific religion, it does not say they have to completely ignore the existence of religion. There is no problem mentioning both. My public school taught evolution but did mention certain aspects that religious sects might disagree with and why.
And any science that wouldn't include the possibility for the existence of God isn't very "scientific", since God's existence, or lack thereof, cannot be proven. Science should be search for truth, not decidedly secular in some attempt to spite The Church for past ills. The most logical position on the existence of God is agnostic.
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Quoting MrsRStewart:
When did evolution become a fact and not just a theory? It is the theory of evolution. There is no proof for evolution because it isn't true. God created the world. The Bible tells us how. I have a problem with evolution being taught as a fact in public schools and not letting teachers bring up creation. The reason our society is going downhill is because we are pushing God out of our lives.
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on Aug. 15, 2009 at 1:20 AM