Tennessee to Texas: Tracing the Evolution Controversy in Public Education

Abstract

Darwin's Theory of Evolution has stirred controversy since its inception. Public schools in the United States, pressed by special interest groups on both sides of the controversy, have struggled with how best to teach the theory, if at all. Court cases have dealt with whether states can ban the teaching of evolutionary theory, whether Creationism may be taught alongside evolution, and whether disclaimers may be read before the teaching of evolution in science classes. The authors, through the examination of landmark court decisions, trace the origins of the controversy from its beginning to the related issue of science textbook adoption in Texas.