Randall Wenger of Independence Law Center explains the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) fulfilled all the requirements to be recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an accrediting agency but was denied by the State Board of Education simply because it focuses on religious education.
That, says Wenger, is religious discrimination.
"What they said was Christian schools aren't licensed by the state of Pennsylvania," the attorney relays. "I'm grateful that Christian schools aren't licensed by the state of Pennsylvania, but because they're not licensed, they said they need not be accredited."
While that may be true, Wenger points out that many schools that do not have to be accredited by the state want to be accredited "because it shows everyone involved that they meet the highest standards" of education.
"Christian schools can go to other accrediting agencies, but the state said that it's not going to recognize ACSI because ACSI focuses on Christian schools," says Wenger. "That's the part that is religious discrimination."
This denial by the board is on the heels of various groups targeting ACSI because of its religious beliefs, specifically regarding human sexuality, marriage, and gender.
Wenger says religious liberty is one of those issues that requires vigilance, as religious discrimination and bigotry against religion can happen anywhere in many different ways.
"We need to band together and make sure that religious liberty is protected during our watch, because if we don't, it's going to get trampled," he warns.
The ACSI already accredits 2,200 private schools nationwide, including 116 in Pennsylvania. The association sought formal recognition under Pennsylvania's Private Academic Schools Act to enhance its credibility and support its member schools, but the board unanimously rejected its application.
ACSI is now considering its options, and AFN is seeking comment from the Pennsylvania Board of Education.
