Creationism in public education

In the United States, the teaching of creationism in science classes in public schools has long been anathema.Edwards v. Aguillard, 482 U.S. 578 (1987). However, some schools, as seen in the Kitzmiller case, continue to attempt to "sneak in" creationism into school curricula, under the guise of intelligent design. Attempts continue into 2008, as well. As school officials nationwide continue to debate the inclusion of intelligent design or creationism in high school biology curricula, to give it "equal time" with evolution, even school officials are becoming casualties of the conflict.
==North America==
In the United States, 13% of biology teachers are openly sympathetic to teaching creationism, and 60% feel uncertain about teaching evolution.Why many U.S. biology teachers are ‘wishy-washy’ Science Magazine. This leaves a relatively small segment of American teachers who are actively pursuing educating their students about the origin of biological diversity.
===Texas School System===
In October 2007, Chris Comer, a director of science curriculum for the Texas Education Agency, was terminated for mentioning in personal e-mail an event featuring an anti-intelligent design speaker, Barbara Forrest, author of the book "Creationism's Trojan Horse: the Wedge of Intelligent Design."Comer v. Scott and Texas Education Agency; 1 April 2009Forrest, Barbara, & Paul R. Gross. Creationism's Trojan Horse: The Wedge of Intelligent Design. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print This followed discussions during her employ that indicated Governor Rick Perry's support of intelligent design, impressed upon employees at meetings that were attended by the entire board of the Discovery Institute.Interview with Chris Comer on Ira Flatow's "Science Friday",";7 December 2007 However, there is still some hope; it looks like the Texas Board of Education is still solidly against intelligent design in the classroom.TX Board Of Education Chair Vows That Only Evolution Will Be Taught In Science Classes; CBS News, local Houston affiliate
Comer's termination may be in violation of federal law, as an infringement upon her rights to take a position contrary to the government in her private life,
Pickering v. Board of Ed. (391 U.S. 563). though as she did occupy something of a policy-making position, it may not.
===Florida School System===
The same may be occurring in Florida.WIRED;Evolution Wins as Creationists (Accidentally) Switch Sides in Florida ;20080220; Brandon Kiem Although fears were high,The Ledger article the school board eventually backed off... for now.Panda's Thumb archive
===Louisiana===
In 2008, Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law the Louisiana Academic Freedom Act, a very thinly veiled attempt to introduce creationism into the classroom. In 2015, activist Zack Kopplin posted documents that show that Louisiana public school science teachers have organized to teach creationism in classrooms.Some La. Schools Are Teaching Creationism, Activist Asserts In Report Americans United: Church and State (June 2015).Evidence of Creationism in Louisiana
==Europe==
Like any cancer, creationism/intelligent design can metastasize....
There has been a growing tendency for creationists to push for it to be taught in schools. In 2007, the Council of Europe published a report with the summary:
The document as a whole makes interesting reading.
A subsequent document has the paragraphs as resolutions:
Of particular interest is the paragraph:
Which should be of interest to concerned Americans.
==Oceania==
===Australia===
Whilst classes do address the evidence for evolution, this is merely in the interests of critical thinking and application of the scientific method; no mention is made of ID or any "controversy".Australian curriculum, biology unit 3
==Asia==
===South Korea===
After a creationist campaign, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology seems to have caved in. At least some publishers are preparing evolution-free versions of things that still purport to be biology textbooks and will be used in Korean high schools.South Korea surrenders to creationist demands, Nature.
==See also==
*Intelligent design and academic freedom discusses the argument that "academic freedom" is infringed upon by suppression of intelligent design
*Expelled: Leader's Guide
*Result of a search for Creationism in the Council of Europe Assembly website.
*Wedge strategy
*Teach the controversy
==References==
Category:Education
Category:Creationism