Newton's Advice for Helping Teachers on Evolution

At Science and Religion Today, Steve Newton wrote an article about getting teachers to be more confident in teaching evolution in our schools.  His article comes in response to poll finding that 60% of teachers are "cautious" about teaching evolution.  Basically, they barely address the topic to avoid the hassles that come from students and parents.  As the programs and policy director of the Nation Center for Science Education, Newton has several suggestions for all of us who seek a more pro-science society.

1. Write letters to the editor in favor of evolution and science education to counter the advertisements and letters from the anti-science crowd.  Like this one that I wrote a few years ago.
2. Parents should let the teachers know that they prefer science to be taught in the science classroom.  The only parents we usually here from are the ones who complain.
3. Donate pro-science books, movies and other materials to schools.  Like any job, teaching requires specific tools to help your kids grow up in a scientifically literate society.
4. Future teachers need better evolution education to feel more confident in front of the class.  This begins the cycle.  A better educated, pro-science society promotes better students and better teachers.

Newton's list provides several great ideas.  I would also add better, more specific professional development seminars.  Let the 20% of teachers who are confident about evolution teach the other 80%. We could also hold community seminars to help educate the parents that either want to learn more about science and even those who are worried about their child's education (almost all of us).

A pro-science community needs communicators of science who are not afraid to talk about the important topics of modern science.