1. October 21, 2006 CSTA 2006, SETI session, “theory not fact” – Nick Matzke, NCSE Challenges to Teaching Evolution: “Theory not Fact” Nick Matzke National Center for Science Education

2. Antievolutionism evolves 1923-1968: Bans on teaching evolution 1923-1968: Bans on teaching evolution 1969-1987: Equal time for “creation science” 1969-1987: Equal time for “creation science” 1989-2005: “Intelligent design” 1989-2005: “Intelligent design” “Critical analysis”, “strengths and weaknesses”, “theory not fact” -- ??? “Critical analysis”, “strengths and weaknesses”, “theory not fact” -- ???

3. Court cases 1925: Scopes v. Tennessee – ban upheld 1925: Scopes v. Tennessee – ban upheld 1968: Epperson v. Arkansas – bans ruled unconstitutional 1968: Epperson v. Arkansas – bans ruled unconstitutional 1982: McLean v. Arkansas -- “creation science” unconstitutional 1982: McLean v. Arkansas -- “creation science” unconstitutional 1987: Edwards v. Aguillard -- “creation science” unconstitutional 2005: Kitzmiller v. Dover -- “intelligent design” unconstitutional 2005: Kitzmiller v. Dover -- “intelligent design” unconstitutional “Critical analysis”, “strengths and weaknesses”, “theory not fact” -- ??? “Critical analysis”, “strengths and weaknesses”, “theory not fact” -- ???

4. Tom Toles, Washington Post, Dec. 23, 2005

5. Cobb County, GA Currently in federal court Currently in federal court

6. Alabama 1996 Alabama Textbook Disclaimer Alabama Textbook Disclaimer Eagle Forum: “Evolution Warning Label” Eagle Forum: “Evolution Warning Label”

7. Alabama 1996

9. Alabama 2001

11. Alabama 1996 Described by the Eagle Forum as an “Evolution Warning Label” Described by the Eagle Forum as an “Evolution Warning Label”

12. Beebe, Arkansas 2004

13. Nature magazine April 2005:

15. Scientific American (April 1, 2005)

16. Alabama 1996 Described by the Eagle Forum as an “Evolution Warning Label” Described by the Eagle Forum as an “Evolution Warning Label”

17. Is this problem just “out there”?

19. 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, Texas sense 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 Carolina sense 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, np unlawful "to teach as true the theory of evolution" 1925 Texas, amendment, np unlawful to teach the theory of Darwinian evolution in reference to the creation of man, as a fact 1927 FL, np unlawful 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...

20. Is this problem just “out there”? LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, 1929-1974 1929, Texas, np unlawful...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, np Origin 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, np Textbooks [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, passed Any 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, np Any 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.

21. Is this problem just “out there”? LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, 1974-1978 1974, OH, np Teachers...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, np Textbooks [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, np The 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, np Textbooks [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, np A 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.

22. California, 1925 San Francisco Chronicle, July 15, 1925:

23. California, 1925 San Francisco Chronicle, July 15, 1925:

24. California, 1925 Los Angeles Times, July 22, 1925

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

26. Lancaster, CA, 2006

27. Lancaster, 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.

28. Used textbooks School district in CA School district in CA Bought used textbooks Bought used textbooks Teacher looked inside… Teacher looked inside…