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Phillip Johnson made the following statement to the San Francisco Chronicle: "Just teach evolution with a recognition that it's controversial."
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Reading
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"Teach the controversy" and "promote critical thinking" are current slogans used in the fight against evolution education in the U.S. Evolutionary biologists do certainly debate issues on the relative importance of patterns and processes, and educators want to promote critical thinking. However, the religious controversy about the validity of evolution is not an appropriate topic of debate. The following article by Eugenie C. Scott and Glenn Branch provides a detailed look at why "teach the controversy" is scientifically inappropriate and pedagogically irresponsible.
Evolution: What's Wrong with 'Teach the Controversy'
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Video
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Now watch the following interviews with educators about how to approach the issue of intelligent design in a classroom.
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Notebook
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Some states have statutes that allow students to opt out of controversial issues such as sex education and AIDS education. Find out what your state standards and local policies are regarding teaching subjects that may be considered controversial. Imagine that a student wishes to opt out of the evolution unit you are about to teach on the grounds that it is controversial. What is your response?
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