Creationism, Evolution, and Intelligent Design, Teaching of

Four distinct movements in American educational history have approached the interpretation of what may be taught to children regarding the origins of life. The first movement focused on the teaching of the theory of evolution in the public schools. The second movement dealt with the teaching of creationism only in the public schools. The third movement sought to provide equal time to both the theories of evolution and creationism. Most recently, these two have been joined by a fourth movement that seeks to introduce creationism into public school science curricula through either the mandatory teaching of intelligent design or divine design, or mandatory disclaimers as to the factual nature of the theory of evolution.

The second, third, and fourth movements have in common the belief that ...