Poll: One in Three Americans Unfamiliar with Charles Darwin

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Evolution in Schools

The controversy surrounding evolution extends beyond church walls to public schools.

In recent years, some states, including Florida, have updated new science standards that mandate a more explicit and in-depth teaching of evolution. The Texas Board of Education, meanwhile, is considering dropping language in the current science curriculum that requires teachers to address “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theory.

Critics have called such revisions a disservice to academic freedom and critical thinking in the classroom. While supporters of evolution have accused them of attempting to sneak in creationism or intelligent design in the classroom, critics of the new guidelines say evolution is not scientific dogma and that students should be able to explore flaws in the theory.

The Discovery Institute, an intelligent design think tank, for example, has been a vocal advocate of science standards that permit students to hear a balanced presentation on Darwinian theory.

And the majority of the public is on their side, says the Seattle-based organization.

A new nationwide Zogby poll of likely voters, commissioned by the Discovery Institute, indicates overwhelming public support for teaching the scientific evidence for and against Darwin’s theory. According to the poll, 80 percent of respondents agree that teachers and students should have the academic freedom to discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of evolution as a scientific theory.

Those who support teaching the “strengths and weaknesses” of evolution are part of a well-informed public and not a “right-wing conspiracy of know-nothings and religious extremists” as the media would suggest, says Discovery Institute’s Dr. John West.

Also, Democrats (82 percent) and liberals (86 percent) are even more likely than Republicans (73 percent ) and conservatives (72 percent) to support the position, according to the poll of 1,053 likely voters conducted Jan. 29-Jan. 31.

“That consensus includes Democrats, Republicans, liberals, moderates, independents, and every race, gender, and age group. The Darwin Lobby has isolated itself from public opinion,” says West.

The poll also found that support for the position that “Biology teachers should teach Darwin’s theory of evolution, but also the scientific evidence against it,” jumped to 78 percent, up from 69 percent in 2006.

Meanwhile, the percentage of likely voters who favor teaching only the evidence for evolution fell from 21 percent in 2006 to 14 percent this year. “Clearly, the Darwin-only crowd is losing public support,” observes West. “There seems to be a backlash against the strong-arm tactics that have been used in recent years to censor and intimidate scientists, teachers, and students who raise criticisms of Darwin.”

Despite the ongoing debate over evolution, Darwin’s theory will be a reason for celebration for many this year.

According to a website devoted to celebrations (darwinday.org) there are currently 639 events scheduled in 42 countries for Darwin Day 2009, including a conference hosted by the Vatican in March.

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