NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ963592
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-May
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0047-231X
EISSN: N/A
"McLean v. Arkansas" (1982) and Beyond: Implications for Biology Professors
Bland, Mark W.; Moore, Randy
Journal of College Science Teaching, v40 n5 p75-84 May 2011
To assess current trends of evolution instruction in high schools of the mid-South, we invited Arkansas high school biology teachers from across the state to respond to a survey designed to address this issue. We also asked students enrolled in a freshman-level, nonmajors biology course at a midsize public Arkansas university to recall their experiences regarding evolution instruction in their high school biology courses. To facilitate comparisons with data obtained in an upper midwestern state (Minnesota), we used similar surveys for the Arkansas study. Results of the surveys reveal noteworthy trends. For example, student recollections (N = 329) were distinctly different from teacher reports (N = 137): 23% of teachers indicated that they were teaching creationism, compared with 50% of students who recalled receiving instruction in creationism in their high school classes. Further, 38% of teacher respondents reportedly do not believe that teaching creationism is illegal. In general, the data obtained in Arkansas are similar to findings from Minnesota. Important implications for biology professors in light of other relevant research findings that reveal the impressionability of high school students are discussed. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Higher Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Arkansas; Minnesota
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A