New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says local schools should have the right to decide whether or not to teach creationism.

Last week at a town hall in Manalapan, Chistie said he thought the decision to teach creationism in public schools should be made at the local level.

Evolution is taught in New Jersey's public schools. Creationism is not, but both theories are allowed to be discussed.

At a press conference on Thursday, Christie refused to comment on whether he believes in creationism.

"Evolution is required teaching," Christie told reporters. "If there's a certain school district that also wants to teach creationism, that's not something we should decide in Trenton."

Christie said his position is not an endorsement of creationism, but rather an endorsement of making decisions at the local level about curriculum outside the common core standards.