A federal judge in Georgia has declared that a district’s practice of labeling evolution “a theory, not a fact” on stickers placed on science textbooks amounts to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion, Education Week reports. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, one district has decided to allow teachers—but not students—to opt out of introducing an alternative theory called ‘intelligent design.’
Should the teaching of evolution come with a disclaimer? Should alternative theories on the origins of life be taught in public classrooms? Why does the debate over evolution persist?