Christian Education Disqualifies Students from Admission at Univ. of CA
A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles contends that officials with the University of California system discriminated against students from Calvary Chapel Christian School in Murietta by deciding that some of the school’s religious-viewpoint courses do not meet the UC system’s admission standards. The Association of Christian Schools International is pushing the complaint, arguing that the university’s decision violates the students’ First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. Two of the students have plans to attend UC-San Diego.
According to a SignOnSanDiego.com report, lawyers for the plaintiffs say this dispute arose two years ago when UC admissions officials began closely examining Calvary Chapel’s courses and texts that emphasized Christianity. Among the courses rejected were biology classes with texts by conservative Christian publishers A Beka Book and Bob Jones University Press along with classes titled “Christianity and Morality in American Literature” and “Special Providence: American Government.” Meanwhile courses like “Western Civilization: the Jewish Experience” and “Intro to Buddhism” were approved. Closely tracking the lawsuit are public educators, Christian leaders, and free-speech advocates who are concerned about the impact the case could have on state school admissions policies and the freedom of Christian schools to teach their core beliefs.
By Jenni Parker, AgapePress – Copyright, 2005. All rights reserved.
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Christian School’s Lawyer: UC is “attempting to secularize private Christian schools”: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20051123-1631-cnsuc-lawsuit.html