October 21, 2006 CSTA 2006, SETI session, “theory not fact” – Nick Matzke, NCSE Challenges to...

October 21, 2006October 21, 2006 CSTA 2006, SETI session, “theory not fact” – Nick Matzke, NCSECSTA 2006, SETI session, “theory not fact” – Nick Matzke, NCSE

Challenges to Teaching Challenges to Teaching Evolution: Evolution:

“Theory not Fact”“Theory not Fact”

Nick MatzkeNick Matzke

National Center for Science National Center for Science EducationEducation

Antievolutionism evolvesAntievolutionism evolves

1923-19681923-1968: Bans on teaching evolution: Bans on teaching evolution

1969-19871969-1987: Equal time for “creation : Equal time for “creation science”science”

1989-20051989-2005: “Intelligent design” : “Intelligent design”

““Critical analysis”, “strengths and Critical analysis”, “strengths and weaknesses”, “theory not fact” -- weaknesses”, “theory not fact” -- ??????

Court casesCourt cases 19251925: : Scopes v. Tennessee Scopes v. Tennessee – ban upheld– ban upheld

19681968: : Epperson v. ArkansasEpperson v. Arkansas – – bans ruled unconstitutionalbans ruled unconstitutional

19821982:: McLean v. Arkansas McLean v. Arkansas -- “creation science” -- “creation science” unconstitutionalunconstitutional19871987: : Edwards v. AguillardEdwards v. Aguillard -- “creation science” -- “creation science” unconstitutionalunconstitutional

20052005: : Kitzmiller v. DoverKitzmiller v. Dover -- “intelligent design” -- “intelligent design” unconstitutional unconstitutional

““Critical analysis”, “strengths and weaknesses”, “theory not Critical analysis”, “strengths and weaknesses”, “theory not fact” -- fact” -- ??????

Tom Toles, Washington Post, Dec. 23, 2005

Cobb County, GACobb County, GA

Currently in federal courtCurrently in federal court

Alabama 1996Alabama 1996

Alabama Textbook Alabama Textbook DisclaimerDisclaimer

Eagle Forum: “Evolution Eagle Forum: “Evolution Warning Label”Warning Label”


Described by the Eagle Described by the Eagle Forum as an “Evolution Forum as an “Evolution Warning Label”Warning Label”

Beebe, Arkansas 2004Beebe, Arkansas 2004

Nature magazineApril 2005:

Scientific American(April 1, 2005)


Described by the Eagle Described by the Eagle Forum as an “Evolution Forum as an “Evolution Warning Label”Warning Label”

Is this problem just Is this problem just “out there”?“out there”?

Is this problem just “out there”?Is this problem just “out there”?LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, 1925-1927

1923, Texas, not passed"It shall be unlawful for the Texas State Textbook Commission, or any member thereof to adopt or recommend for adoption any text book which teaches any phases of the said theories of evolution as a fact or in any way discredits Genesis account of the origin of man, or advances the idea that man was evolved from the lower forms of animal life."

1923, Texassense of the legislature to "teach as true Darwinism, or any other hypothesis that links man in blood relationship to any other form of life."

1923, North Carolinasense of the legislature to "teach as true Darwinism, or any other hypothesis that links man in blood relationship to any other form of life."

1925, WV, npunlawful "to teach as true the theory of evolution"

1925 Texas, amendment, npunlawful to teach the theory of Darwinian evolution in reference to the creation of man, as a fact

1927 FL, npunlawful for any teacher...to teach as fact any theory that denies the existence of God and the divine creation of man, or to teach in any way atheism or infidelity

unlawful...[to use]...any textbook which teaches as fact any theory that denies the existence of God, that denies the divine creation of man, or which teaches atheism or infidelity...


1929, Texas, npunlawful...to teach as fact that mankind evolved from a lower order of animals......also unlawful...to adopt or use any textbook therein a textbook that teaches as a fact that mankind evolved from a lower order of animals

1967, TN, passed (limitation to "as 'fact'" amendment not passed)"The House twice refused to consider a Senate approved amendment which would have simply prohibited the teaching of evolution as "fact".

1973, WI, npOrigin of Life. Every public school which provides instruction in all major theories of the origin of life, including that of creation. Such instruction shall stress that the theories are not established facts and shall accord proper treatment in time emphasis and attitude to protect the rights of all students.

1973, WA, npTextbooks [etc]...if they present these viewpoints as fact, shall be replaced by materials that are either unbiased, or in which the bias is acknowledged,...

173, TN, passedAny biology textbook...shall be prohibited...unless it specifically states that it is a theory as to the origin and creation of man and his world and is not represented to be scientific fact.

1974, KY, npAny biology textbook...shall be prohibited...unless it specifically states that it is a theory as to the origin and creation of man and his world and is not represented to be scientific fact.


1974, OH, npTeachers...shall be encouraged to present all major theories, including those of creation and evolution, to stress that these major theories are not established facts, and to accord them proper treatment in time, emphasis, and attitude so as to protect the rights of all students.

1974, WA, npTextbooks [etc]...if they present these viewpoints as fact, shall be replaced by materials that are either unbiased, or in which the bias is acknowledged,...

1975, TX, npThe State Board of Education shall not approve, and the textbook committee shall not recommend...[any book] which related to a theory about the origins or creation of man and the world unless the book specifically states that it is a theory as to the origins or creation of man and the world and is not represented to be scientific fact

1975 WA, npTextbooks [etc]...shall, if they present these viewpoints as fact, be replaced by materials that are either unbiased, or in which the bias is acknowledged,...

1977 IN, npA textbook which presents information regarding the creation of man and the world may not represent the theory as scientific fact, but shall state that the information is based on the theory of the creation of man and the world.

California, 1925California, 1925

San Francisco San Francisco ChronicleChronicle, ,

July 15, 1925:July 15, 1925:

California, 1925California, 1925

Los Angeles Los Angeles TimesTimes, ,

July 22, 1925July 22, 1925

Is this problem Is this problem just “in the bad just “in the bad old days?”old days?”

Lancaster, CA, 2006Lancaster, CA, 2006

Lancaster, CA, 1993Lancaster, CA, 1993

Lancaster School District, 1993

In light of what is known, the Lancaster School District supports the teaching of evolution as a theory, as opposed to unalterable fact. Science instruction should respect the private beliefs of students.

Used textbooksUsed textbooks

• School district in CASchool district in CA• Bought used textbooksBought used textbooks• Teacher looked inside…Teacher looked inside…

October 21, 2006 CSTA 2006, SETI session, “theory not fact” – Nick Matzke, NCSE Challenges to...

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