Evolution not evolving well in U.S. classrooms

William Atkins
Monday, 31 January 2011 23:53

Science - Biology

According to a survey performed by Pennsylvania scientists, the subject of evolution is not being effectively taught in the school system within the United States.

Drs. Michael B. Berkman and Eric Plutzer, both from the department of political science at Pennsylvania State University (University Park), wrote the article 'Defeating Creationism in the Courtroom, But Not in the Classroom' (volume 331, number 6016, pages 404-405, DOI: 10.1126/science.1198902) in the journal Science.

They stated, "Just over 5 years ago, the scientific community turned its attention to a courtroom in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Eleven parents sued their Dover, Pennsylvania, school board to overturn a policy explicitly legitimizing intelligent design creationism.'

And, 'The case, Kitzmiller v. Dover, followed a familiar script: Local citizens wanted their religious values validated by the science curriculum; prominent academics testified to the scientific consensus on evolution; and creationists lost decisively.'

Read more about Kitzmiller v. Dover at the PBS webpage 'Intelligent Design on Trial.'

Berkman and Plutzer added (according to their paper's abstract), 'Intelligent design was not science, held the court, but rather an effort to advance a religious view via public schools, a violation of the U.S. Constitution's Establishment Clause.... Many scientists cheered the decision, agreeing with the court that the school board displayed 'breathtaking inanity' '¦.' (Inanity means meaninglessness, senselessness or silliness.)

They comment: 'We suggest that the cheering was premature and the victory incomplete.'

Within the survey, the two U.S. scientists surveyed 926 teachers in the United States concerning their techniques in teaching evolution.

Page two reports on the results of the study.