Evolution: fact or theory? The question has school administrators statewide debating what to teach.

In less than a week the Florida Board of Education will vote on adopting new Sunshine State standards for science which would require teaching evolution as a scientific fact in all public schools.

"I do feel that evolution should be taught in the schools. It's a scientific theory that's widely accepted by a large part of the scientific community, so there's no reason that it should be excluded from the curriculum," said Tyler Atkins, a Panama City resident.

Wednesday the Bay District School Board will have its say on the issue. The proposed local resolution would require teaching evolution as only a "theory," with teachers presenting both strengths and weaknesses of the theory.

“I think it's up to the parents to talk to their children and tell them their own views on it, but in school I think it should be taught as a theory," said Philip Macadams, a Bay County resident.

But some people believe creation should be taught alongside evolution.

"I think anytime there's any theory out there it should be taught. They should all be taught. Not just one," said Timothy Johnson.

The school board will send its resolution to the state Board of Education before they vote on February 19th. Both Jackson and Washington County school boards have already adopted a similar resolution to the one Bay is considering.

Rep. Marti Coley is among those urging the state Board of Education to call evolution a theory.