The scientific community shares at least part of the responsibility for this situation. In the past, scientists have had little involvement with elementary and secondary education. The release three years ago of the National Science Education Standards, which were produced by teams of scientists and educators, marked a turning point in this long history of disengagement. But scientists must continue increasing their efforts to improve the quality of K-12 education. Accepting evolution as an accurate description of the history of life on Earth does not mean rejecting religion.
Many scientists are deeply religious.
But science and religion occupy two separate realms of human experience, and should be taught as such - in distinct classroom settings. To continue to demand that they be combined detracts from the glory of each. A View from the National Academy of Sciences. E-mail us with general site comments or suggestions. Newsticker for your site Earth .