| Main Finding: According to most Americans, the issue of whether or not to teach Evolution in the public schools is too important to leave to individual localities to decide. They agree that a national approach is warranted. |
For the most part, Americans have traditionally favored local decision-making when it comes to education. However, this issue is a clear exception. Most Americans (two thirds) agree that there needs to be a national approach regarding whether or not to teach Evolution and/or Creationism in the public schools.
Question: “Agree or disagree: Evolution is one of those issues that is too important to be decided by each and every school board across the country. There needs to be a standard, national approach to whether or not Evolution is taught in the public schools”
Majorities of residents in all regions agree on the need for a national approach. This is true even in the “Bible Belt”.
| Regions | ||||||
| All % | Northeast % | Central % | West % | South % | Bible Belt % | |
| Agree | 66 | 70 | 63 | 67 | 65 | 64 | Disagree | 29 | 26 | 33 | 26 | 29 | 32 |
| Not Sure | 5 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
Note: See appendix for listing of states included in each region. The “Bible Belt” includes states from the South and Central regions.