hmm, interesting post - let's hope we can keep it civil
. I did not read both articles in their entirety (I should do a little work today) but I don't know that just these two questions can constitute a failure. However, I think the US does pretty poorly in general in these two subjects overall compared to other countries, and that I would say is a failure.
The problem I have with these two specific questions is that there are significant differences of opinion across the country and even from one local community to another. That is the whole big bang and evolution vs intelligent design debate.
In some parts of the country the emphasis placed on these will be completely different despite having to be given equal weight in the classroom. And I'm not sure any amount of legislature or mandated curriculum will change that. And that does not lie solely with the educators either, a large part of it is in the home as well. Some people can be so entrenched in their ways and beliefs that even if their children are being taught according to curriculum, they may be having it drilled right out of them at home.
Also for the big bang question, I don't know that I would agree with the wording of the question. In a lot of cases I've read most people say that it was probably not an actual explosion as we know it so I'm sure some of that comes down to the kids answering the questions. Of course, I can't think of another way to put it either