Date
October 2007
Chair
Steve Deckard
Primary Subject Area
Education, Curriculum and Instruction
Keywords
Creationism, Education, Administration, Curriculum
Recommended Citation
Cook, Karen S., "The Relationship between the Beliefs of School Board Members Concerning Young Earth Creationism and Old Earth Creationism and the Inclusion of Creationism in the Science Curriculum of Georgia Public Schools" (2007). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 51.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/51
Abstract
This study investigated district location and the beliefs of school board members regarding Young Earth Creationism (YEC) and Old Earth Creationism (OEC) associated with the inclusion or exclusion of creationism in the district science curriculum of Georgia public schools. A random sampling of 144 mailed of a total population of 1,034 local school board members was selected as subjects. Data analysis indicated that beliefs of school board members in Young Earth Creationism had a weak, positive association with the permitted inclusion of creationism in the district science curriculum while board member beliefs in OEC had a moderate, negative relationship. No association was found between board member beliefs in either Young Earth Creationism or Old Earth Creationism and the required inclusion of creationism in district creationism in Georgia public schools. Concerning district location (rural, urban, or suburban) and the permitted or mandatory inclusion of creationism, no relationship was found. The results of this study provide insight into connections between beliefs of board members and the inclusion of creationism, which may translate into enlightened voting decisions.
