Evolution, Creationism, and the Battle to Control America's Classrooms

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Science & Nature, Science
Cover of the book Evolution, Creationism, and the Battle to Control America's Classrooms by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer, Cambridge University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer ISBN: 9780511852510
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: September 20, 2010
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author: Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
ISBN: 9780511852510
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: September 20, 2010
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

Who should decide what children are taught in school? This question lies at the heart of the evolution-creation wars that have become a regular feature of the US political landscape. Ever since the 1925 Scopes 'monkey trial' many have argued that the people should decide by majority rule and through political institutions; others variously point to the federal courts, educational experts, or scientists as the ideal arbiter. Berkman and Plutzer illuminate who really controls the nation's classrooms. Based on their innovative survey of 926 high school biology teachers they show that the real power lies with individual educators who make critical decisions in their own classrooms. Broad teacher discretion sometimes leads to excellent instruction in evolution. But the authors also find evidence of strong creationist tendencies in America's public high schools. More generally, they find evidence of a systematic undermining of science and the scientific method in many classrooms.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Who should decide what children are taught in school? This question lies at the heart of the evolution-creation wars that have become a regular feature of the US political landscape. Ever since the 1925 Scopes 'monkey trial' many have argued that the people should decide by majority rule and through political institutions; others variously point to the federal courts, educational experts, or scientists as the ideal arbiter. Berkman and Plutzer illuminate who really controls the nation's classrooms. Based on their innovative survey of 926 high school biology teachers they show that the real power lies with individual educators who make critical decisions in their own classrooms. Broad teacher discretion sometimes leads to excellent instruction in evolution. But the authors also find evidence of strong creationist tendencies in America's public high schools. More generally, they find evidence of a systematic undermining of science and the scientific method in many classrooms.

More books from Cambridge University Press

Cover of the book Fichte's Republic by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book The Singular Universe and the Reality of Time by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Genetics, Ethics and Education by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Tragic Pleasure from Homer to Plato by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Twenty Lectures on Algorithmic Game Theory by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book China's Great Economic Transformation by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel: The Science of Logic by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Drawn from the Ground by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Performance Practice in the Music of Steve Reich by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Best Practice in Labour and Delivery by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Cognitive Neuroscience of Natural Language Use by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Animals, Animality, and Literature by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Introduction to Parallel Computing by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book A History of Algeria by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
Cover of the book Renegotiating the World Order by Michael Berkman, Eric Plutzer
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy