Problems with U.S. science education regarding evolution?

Adding to Loudmouth's opinions, I can report what my younger daughter experienced in AP biology here in Podunk: the teacher told the class, "These three chapters {in Campbell's text} are on evolution, and you may read them if you want. They won't be on the test."The teacher is a smart, pleasant guy who goes to the Primitive Baptist church, but I don't know his personal evo/cre leanings with any certainty. But I am quite sure that a genuine shitstorm would erupt if he actually required students to regurgitate anything about ape ancestors on a test. And yes, Texas high-school biology standards do require mastery of some evolutionary concepts. I don't know if questions about evolution actually get included on the exit-level statewide tests, though.

Agreed, Gary. But I feel pretty strongly that evolution as a unifying principle behind biology needs to be taught, and it would be at least awkward for Teacher to say, "but we won't apply any of this to monkeys, apes, or humans in this class."