I agree that the US is lagging behind in science education, but why the focus on evolution? When people bemoan the poor quality of scientific education here, it's usually because they're concerned about us losing our technological edge in the world. Well then, why not shine the spotlight on fields that are more relevant to human progress - physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology? (Yes, I know evolution is a major part of biology; hang on and let me explain myself.)

Evolution is a broad term for a huge collection of theories spanning genetics, ecology, origins, etc. That vast majority of these theories - such as natural selection and genetic principles - are ideas that even the oft-maligned creationists have no problem with. These theories are well-evidenced, clearly understood, relevant to the present, and vital for progress in certain fields. But it seems as though some are only concerned with cramming the slightly shakier and oft-changing theories about the distant past, such as how birds evolved from reptiles and humans evolved from pre-human primates, down our collective throats.

This is what I don't understand - why the least relevant stuff gets the greatest coverage. Why not talk about how poorly we are doing in physics, mathematics, and biology (including all the important parts of evolution)? And if we're concerned about science education, why not focus on teaching those? Knowing how fish grew legs and climbed up on land won't help you build a better computer. It won't help you improve spaceflight, or grow better vegetables, or cure any disease - all it will do is give you some extra trivia knowledge you can lord over your more ignorant peers.

Yes, our education system is failing, but this isn't the litmus test for that.