Evolution Education in America

By Alex Fletcher

Historical Perspective

Rise of evolution education: 1859-1920

Birth of Evangelical creationism: 1920-1930

The cold war: 1930-1960

An American Scientific Renaissance:1960-1970

Creationists call to arms: 1970-1987

Intelligent Design:1988-2005

Current Trends2005-2009

Rise of evolution education: 1859-1920

Publication of “The Origin of Species” 1859

Lag Time: 1859-1900

Evolution gets taught:

1900-1920

Birth of Creationism 1920-1930

ProhibitionAnti-evolution

lawsScopes Trial

Breaking the law?

Trial of the Century

Outcome of the Trial

BryanDarrow

Tennessee Supreme court

ScopesPublic OpinionTextbooks

The cold war: 1930-1960

Neither side takes action

Establishment Clause Everson v. Board

of Education of New Jersey

The First Amendment

“Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting free exercise thereof”

Scientific Renaissance: 1960-1970

SputnikEvolution returns

to textbooksRepeal of anti-

evolution laws 1967- Epperson v

Arkansas 1967- Tennessee

Law Repealed 1969- Smith v.

State

Creationists call to arms: 1970-1987

Creation Science Evidence for

CreationEvolution as

religion

Equal Time laws Judicial v.

Legislative

Wendell Bird

Intelligent Design: 1988-2005

Aesthetic Changes

Religious Rights for Teachers?

Local legislative action 143 occasions in

34 States- 1999-2000

Kansas- 1999

The End of ID?

2005 – Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District

Parents sue districtTheory not a factID is an alternativeBook in the Library

"For the reasons that follow, we conclude that the religious nature of ID [intelligent design] would be readily apparent to an objective observer, adult or child"

Current Trends: 2005-2009

Focus on “Strengths and Weaknesses” and “Academic Freedom”

New attempts- Eight States in 2008 to 2009

Kansas changes mind again (2005) Require teachers to read statement

It has been a long journey

But has anything changed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtNdYsoool8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40Q8p3GqPqQ

Gallup Poll Nov. 2004

Supportedby evidence

Not supporte

dby

evidence

Don't knowenough to

say

Noopinio

n

2004 Nov 7-10 35% 35% 29% 1%

2001 Feb 19-21 35% 39% 25% 1%

Views on the Theory of evolution… is it?

Origin of Humans Poll

Evolution vs. Creationism in Schools

May 25th 2004

We can make the difference!

Thanks for Listening

Questions

Comments

Suggestions

Alex Fletcher- afletcher@rhcsd.org