TEACHING EVOLUTION IN SOUTHERN HIGH SCHOOLS: WHAT SKILLS AND CONTENT ARE NEEDED BY EDUCATORS --- OLD AND NEW

Teaching evolution in southern high schools has long been a controversial topic. Many veteran teachers scheduled evolution at the end of their biology syllabus and conveniently ran out of time, thus passively omitting the topic. Other teachers only taught evolution in higher level elective classes to avoid confrontational parents that did not want the topic taught to their children. Despite the controversy, some veteran teachers carefully crafted ways to teach the topic subversively or they were allowed to teach evolution in progressive school districts. Another common thread among veteran teachers was the lack of content knowledge presented in their teacher education programs regarding evolution. New standards requiring the teaching of evolution are becoming common place in southern high schools. These new standards make it imperative that evolution be taught thoroughly due to high stakes graduation tests. Unfortunately, many veteran teachers are either lacking content knowledge in evolution or are still afraid to teach the topic. These fears stem from past horror stories about disgruntled parents, domineering school boards, intervening administrators, involvement of local churches and threatening legal cases. New teachers do not understand the past controversy and fear of veteran teachers. Yet others have been fully indoctrinated by the teachings of their past and prefer to avoid the topic as well. Depending on their education backgrounds, even new teachers can be lacking in content knowledge regarding evolution. To overcome these weaknesses, teachers must acquire sound training in the teaching of evolution based on their state's standards and be fully supported by their central level administrators. High quality professional development must be presented to train teachers how to dispel common myths; to de-emphasize human evolution in conservative districts; to use technology in demonstrating phenomenon such as natural selection; and to thoroughly understand the history and vocabulary of evolution. Teachers can strengthen their instruction by citing examples of evolution that are common to their local areas in an effort to make the topic relevant to the student's real world. Collaborative teaching models and working with mentors in higher education provide teachers a safety net.