As the crusade to outlaw the teaching of evolution changed to a battle for equal time for creationism, the ideological defenses of that doctrine also shifted, from biblical to scientific grounds. The development of "scientific creationism" is described, focusing on the intellectual leaders of creationism, particularly those claiming scientific…

Describes the case of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) versus the state of Arkansas concerning this state's law requiring equal time for the teaching of creationism and evolution. ACLU contends this law violates the separation of church and state clause of the First Amendment. (DS)

Reviews events in the California courts surrounding a five-day trial concerning the teaching of biblical creation in the public schools. (CS)

Summarizes the activities of the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Office of Science and Technology Education (OSTE) in promoting and improving science and mathematics education. Describes six new OSTE programs that include a national forum for school science, science resource material systems, and science seminars for…

Reports on the Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science Act requiring that "creation science" and evolution receive "balanced treatment" in classroom lectures, textbooks, library materials used, science and humanities, and other educational materials or programs in Louisiana public schools. (JN)

Discusses the recent increases in funding to the science and engineering directorate at the National Science Foundation. Credits the resurgence to the United States Congress. Questions how long the rise in the science education budget will be maintained. (TW)

Describes trends related to declining mathematics and science achievement test scores of graduating high school seniors. Reports that scores of students intending to major in college mathematics and science have been stable over time. Discusses implications for education policy, particularly in science in elementary grades. (CS)

Discusses various issues related to science education reform in Great Britain. The principle concern is over the extent to which content of both courses/examinations provides children with skills/attitudes relevant to their needs in the modern world. Although all agree that changes are needed, reforms may prove elusive. (JN)

Discusses several conferences held by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Office of Science Education to address the question of the future of science education, particularly at the pre-college level. (MLH)

Described are three science and mathematics educational reform programs--Project 2061; Scope, Sequence and Coordination; and NCTM Curriculum and Evaluation Standards. Discussed are the needs for educational reform and the steps that each program is taking. (KR)

Describes a new TV series being produced by the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) aimed at acquainting children 8 to 12 years old with the joys of science. The show is scheduled to be on the air by the fall of 1979. (GA)

Reports that 72 Nobel prizewinners have filed a legal brief in the United States Supreme Court. The brief supports an effort to overturn Louisiana law that requires "creation science" to be given equal time with evolution in the state's public schools. Argues that "creation science" is religion dressed up as science. (TW)

Discusses current activities of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) education directorate, including proposed programs to upgrade science and mathematics teaching at the elementary and junior high school levels. Includes comments by Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, NSF's new assistant director for science and engineering education. (JN)

Presented is the complete text of the judgment, injunction, and opinion of U.S. District Court Judge William R. Overton who enjoined the Arkansas Board of Education from implementing the "Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science Act" of the state legislature. (Author/DC)

Summarizes the American Civil Liberties Union's (ACLU's) contention that Arkansas Act 590 (equal time to teaching creationism) is unconstitutional and highlights comments of various witnesses testifying during the trial. (SK)