News

Statement by Academy President Bruce Alberts on Kansas State Science Curriculum

August 20, 1999

We view the recent actions of the Kansas State Board of Education as an unfortunate setback for all those attempting to prepare our young people for a century in which science and technology will play an ever-increasing role. Evolution is not only universally accepted by scientists; it has also been accepted by the leaders of most of the world's major religions.

The National Academy of Sciences has long been an advocate for the teaching of evolution as a central element in any science education program. Within the last year and a half we have published two major publications on this issue. The first of these, entitled Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science, is a book that is aimed at helping teachers distinguish between science and religion as different ways of knowing about the world.

In addition, the Academy recently issued the second edition of Science and Creationism: A View from the National Academy of Sciences, a publication designed for parents, school boards and the general public.

Our work on evolution, and additional information about the important role the teaching of evolution plays in quality science education, can be found on our website at <http://national-academies.org/evolution>.