Evolution education in slovenia: using the framework for the assessment of school curricula on the presence of evolutionary concepts (FACE) in curriculum reform

Evolution by natural selection is a fundamental concept in biology and essential for understanding the diversity and complexity of life and for addressing current challenges in the areas such as health, agriculture and sustainability. Despite its scientific importance, public understanding and acceptance of evolution remains limited, often due to religious beliefs, cognitive biases, inadequate teacher preparation, and fragmented presentation of evolutionary concepts in curricula. This study analyzed how evolutionary concepts are integrated into the Slovenian primary and secondary school science curricula, both before and after the 2025 educational reform. Using the Framework for the Assessment of School Curricula on the Presence of Evolutionary Concepts (FACE), the presence and development of key evolutionary concepts across subjects and grade levels was examined. The results show that the old, pre-reform curriculum inadequately addressed some fundamental topics — especially in earlier grades—resulting in a delayed and often incomplete understanding of evolution. The 2025 reform introduced significant improvements by including more comprehensive and age-appropriate evolution content in earlier grades, particularly in science subjects. Although considerable progress has been made, certain important concepts such as changes in allele frequencies and evolutionary fitness are still underrepresented in compulsory education. The study emphasizes the importance of a coherent, vertically integrated curriculum in which students’ understanding of evolution is built progressively. In addition, attention needs to be paid to the informal curriculum, including how teachers and textbooks interpret the learning goals, to ensure effective implementation. A well-structured evolution curriculum is vital for promoting scientific literacy and preparing students to address pressing global issues.