Teachers under attack

By Dan Vergano and Greg Toppo, USA TODAY
Nearly one-third of science teachers who participated in a national
survey say they feel pressured to include creationism-related ideas in
the classroom.

And an alarmed science establishment is striking back in defense of
teaching evolution.

"I write to you now because of a growing threat to the teaching of
science," National Academy of Sciences chief Bruce Alberts says in a
letter to colleagues March 4. He calls on academy members "to confront
the increasing challenges to the teaching of evolution in public
schools." The nation's top scientists belong to the congressionally
chartered academy.


Albert's plea comes as the National Science Teachers Association
prepares to release the survey at the group's meeting March 31.
"Teachers are under attack all the time and need more support from
scientists," he says.
Usa Today