Trends: Evolution, Creationism, and the Teaching of Human Origins in Schools

Abstract

This article traces public opinion polls concerning the theory of evolution spanning the period 1981 through 2007. We report on polling trends concerning US citizens’ beliefs about the origins of mankind and other species, individuals’ certainty and knowledge of the debate, and their understanding of the scientific evidence bearing on evolutionary theory. We conclude by examining preferences for public school policy: What is the appropriate treatment of human origins in science curricula? We show that US public opinion is at odds with the curricula mandated by the nation's state governments.