Polling Data

:: RESULTS OF ZOGBY POLLS REGARDING THE TEACHING OF
EVOLUTION AND INTELLIGENT DESIGN IN NEW MEXICO'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS

During the spring of 2003 Zogby International conducted a poll of New Mexico parents as to their attitudes toward the teaching of evolution and intelligent design in New Mexico’s public schools.  This poll was funded by IDnet-NM.  Two questions were asked.

1.  Regarding teaching the theory of evolution, which of the following two statements comes closer to your own opinion?

Statement A : Biology teachers should teach only Darwin's theory of evolution and the scientific evidence that supports it.
Statement B : Biology teachers should teach Darwin's theory of evolution, but also the scientific evidence against it.  

2.  Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:

"When Darwin's theory of evolution is taught in school, students should also be able to learn about the scientific evidence that points to an intelligent design of life."

The result of this poll was based on telephone interviews of 422 parents of children in grades K-12 chosen at random in New Mexico.  The margin of error is +/- 5% at 95% confidence.

Question 1
Statement A	19%  (teach only evidence that supports evolution)
Statement B	68% (teach evidence both for and against evolution)
Neither/not sure	13%
Question 2  (teach intelligent design along with evolution)
Strongly agree	56%
Somewhat agree	21%
Somewhat disagree	7%
Strongly disagree	8%
Not sure	8%
Agree	77%
Disagree	15%

 

Identical polls were taken by Zogby International in 2001 and 2002, the first was nationwide, the second was taken in Ohio.  Both polls were taken of the general population. 

 

America Results

Question 1
Statement A	15%  (teach only evidence that supports evolution)
Statement B	71% (teach evidence both for and against evolution)
Neither/not sure	14%
Question 2 (teach intelligent design along with evolution)
Strongly agree	53%
Somewhat agree	25%
Somewhat disagree	5%
Strongly disagree	8%
Not sure	9%
Agree	78%
Disagree	13%

Ohio Results

Question 1
Statement A	19%  (teach only evidence that supports evolution)
Statement B	65% (teach evidence both for and against evolution)
Neither/not sure	16%
Question 2 (teach intelligent design along with evolution)
Strongly agree	55%
Somewhat agree	23%
Somewhat disagree	3%
Strongly disagree	10%
Not sure	9%
Agree	78%
Disagree	13%

Summary of Polling Data

Question	NM Parents	Ohio	America
Teach only evidence for evolution?	19%	19%	15%
Teach evidence for and against?	68%	65%	71%
Teach Intelligent Design?	77%	78%	78%
Don't teach Intelligent Design?	15%	13%	13%
Margin of error	± 5%	± 3.8%	± 3%

Additional Polling files

New Mexico Poll Results  (Word doc. format)

Zogby America, 2001  (pdf format)

Cleveland Plains Dealer Ohio Poll, 2002  (Word doc. format)

Zogby Ohio  (pdf format)