A new report alleges that the Biden administration’s Education Department is disproportionately targeting faith-based and career schools with enforcement actions.
Key Facts:
– The American Principles Project (APP) found that nearly 70% of the Department of Education’s enforcement actions involved faith-based and career schools, which educate less than 10% of U.S. students.
– Grand Canyon University (GCU) and Liberty University, both prominent Christian institutions, faced record-high fines exceeding penalties imposed on other universities for serious offenses.
– GCU is appealing a $37.7 million fine over allegations it misled students about the cost of its doctoral programs.
– Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressed intentions to shut down GCU, labeling certain schools as “predatory” toward first-generation students.
– The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Department unlawfully applied incorrect standards in denying GCU’s nonprofit status, sending the case back for reconsideration.
The Rest of The Story:
The American Principles Project released a report highlighting what it sees as a disproportionate focus by the Department of Education on faith-based and career schools. Despite serving a small fraction of the student population, these institutions accounted for a significant majority of enforcement actions under the current administration.
Grand Canyon University and Liberty University have been notably impacted. GCU is contesting a substantial fine imposed for allegedly misleading doctoral students about program costs. Additionally, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has suggested shutting down institutions he considers “predatory,” including GCU. The Department’s actions have raised concerns about fairness and potential bias against faith-based schools.
Recently, GCU achieved a legal victory when the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Department improperly denied its nonprofit status. The case has been sent back to the Department for further review. The Department maintains that a school’s religious affiliation does not influence its enforcement decisions, stating their priority is protecting all students’ safety and academic opportunities.
New report shows nearly 70% of Biden admin's education enforcement targeted Christian and career colleges | Joshua Q. Nelson, Fox News
Christian colleges Grand Canyon University and Liberty University have been subjected to sharp scrutiny
A report showed that nearly 70% of… pic.twitter.com/yJ6bmxrJlu
— Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) November 29, 2024
Commentary:
It appears clear that the Biden administration is unlawfully targeting Christian universities and colleges. The disproportionate enforcement against these faith-based institutions suggests an intentional effort to suppress voices that differ from the administration’s ideology. This not only infringes on religious freedoms but also harms the students who rely on these schools for their education.
The excessive fines levied against Grand Canyon University and Liberty University, surpassing penalties for more severe violations at other institutions, indicate a biased application of regulations. The attempts to undermine GCU’s nonprofit status, despite approvals from multiple agencies, further demonstrate a targeted agenda rather than a fair oversight process.
When the Trump administration takes office, it is imperative that this misuse of power is addressed. Those responsible for illegally targeting these institutions should be immediately terminated and face prosecution. Upholding the principles of fairness and religious liberty is essential to maintain trust in our federal agencies and protect the rights of all educational establishments.
The Bottom Line:
The Biden administration’s Department of Education is accused of unfairly targeting faith-based and career schools through disproportionate enforcement actions.
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Ensuring equal treatment of all educational institutions is vital to uphold religious freedom and educational choice in the United States.