ARLINGTON, VA, AUGUST 9, 2005 - The National Congress of Science Education (NCSE), which consists of the leaders from nearly 60 state chapters and associated groups of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), released a statement last week on the teaching of evolution following a meeting to discuss the issue. The statement reads:
"The National Congress of Science Education advocates the teaching of evolution as an essential unifying concept in science that should be included in the K-12 science curricula. Teachers of science should be supported in the teaching of evolution and the strong body of scientific evidence supporting it, and not pressured to present nonscientific views."
Nearly 200 science educators nationwide attended the meeting to discuss important issues in science education and make recommendations to NSTA about future strategies and activities to address them. The groups represent numerous state science teacher organizations, including the Science Teachers Association of Texas, the California Science Teachers Association, and the Georgia Science Teachers Association, as well as associated groups, including Great Lakes Planetarium Association.
"The fact that representatives from across the country developed a unified resolution on this important topic should provide teachers and parents with a sense of comfort. Evolution is a concept that is vital to a student's understanding of the sciences," said Dr. Kenn Heydrick, President-Elect for the Science Teachers Association of Texas. "We do our children a great disservice if we allow pseudoscience to be addressed in a science classroom."
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
To view the list of science education organizations that voted to adopt the statement, click here.