A recent survey of public high school biology teachers showed they aren’t sticking to the National Research Council’s recommendations on evolution. With 28 percent of the teachers focusing only on evolution and 13 percent advocating creationism within the classroom, we’re left with 60 percent quiet and not wanting to stir up controversy by endorsing one theory over another. Let’s recap: educators are shying away from supporting the principles they’re trying to teach simply because they are dealing with a touchy subject.
This fear robs the students of an important discussion, proving that not rocking the boat also has its consequences.
We’re not supporting bullheaded teachers on one side or the other, but knowing where a teacher stands can help explain his or her take on related topics.
If you’ve ever had a politically leaning history professor, you know what we’re talking about. If an educator informs students about his or her biases, they can decide for themselves whether to take what the teacher is saying with a grain of salt.
The survey also leaves us wondering how openly staunch believers of creationism ever got jobs as biology teachers in the first place. Wouldn’t they have failed some exams along the way?
Which brings us back to the start. Although we’d like to have a consistent way of dealing with our biggest question, we have to remember the guidelines really are just that – guidelines.
