Edwards v. Aguillard
482 U.S. 578 (1987)
by
John Lowenthal

Edwards v. Aguillard was a very important case in American history.  It dealt with the teaching of evolution in public schools and with the teaching of creationism.  Many southern states were opposed to teaching evolution in their schools.  Many southern states made laws that tied the learning of evolution to the learning of creationism.  Louisiana, passed a law that made it mandatory to devote the same amount of time teaching creationism when a teacher taught evolution.  So basically a teacher was not allowed to teach one without the other.  This law was challenged and it was found that the law was unconstitutional

This case was first heard at the district court level and the district court decided in favor of Aguillard, who was a member of a group consisted mainly of teachers and parents of students in Louisiana.  This was the group who opposed this law in Louisiana.  The case was appealed to the Supreme Court where in a 7 to 2 vote the decision was upheld.  This decision was made because teaching of creationism was seen as a violation of the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment.