May a state or school district require public schools to teach intelligent design as a scientific theory in science classes?
Probably not. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has not addressed the issue of teaching intelligent design in public schools, a federal district court ruled in 2005 against a public school district that required the presentation of intelligent design as an alternative to the theory of evolution. The judge found that intelligent design was a religiously based theory and therefore the school board policy was an endorsement of religion in violation of the establishment clause. Proponents of intelligent design argue that the court ruling was an attempt to censor valid scientific criticism of Darwinian evolution. The controversy continues to divide people in many school districts across the nation.
Related Questions
- May a state or school district require public schools to teach intelligent design as a scientific theory in science classes?
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- How do charter schools operate when free of traditional public school district and state regulations?
