Story: Pennsylvania Parents Fight Teaching of 'Intelligent Design', 09/14/05
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec05/design_9-28.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Why are some parents taking the Dover School District to court?

2. Who wrote about the theory of evolution? What is it?

3. What has the Supreme Court said about teaching evolution and creationism?

4. What is intelligent design?

5. What do critics say about intelligent design?

6. What have public opinion polls shown about intelligent design?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Should teachers be required to discuss intelligent design in the classroom when the topic of evolution is discussed? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning.

2. Who should decide what curriculum science teachers use in the classroom? Should it be a local school board, state or federal governments, scientists or teachers themselves? Explain your reasoning.

3. Why do you think the American public has a different view on the origins of human beings than scientists?

4. Is evolution taught in your school? How is it taught? Do you agree or disagree with this method? If not, how would you change this?

Write a 300-500 word essay on either of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.