Are they targeting faith-based schools?
The U.S. Department of Education is facing criticism for allegedly targeting Christian colleges and universities, with critics accusing the agency of pushing a “woke agenda.” According to a report by the conservative think tank American Principles Project (APP), Christian schools, which make up less than 10% of the country’s student population, are subjected to about 70% of the penalties imposed by the Department’s Office of Enforcement. The report highlights a significant disparity in the fines, with Christian institutions facing an average penalty of $815,000, compared to $228,571 for other schools over the last decade.
The APP report cites the recent fines against Grand Canyon University and Liberty University, two major Evangelical institutions, as evidence of this bias. It contrasts these penalties with the comparatively lower fines imposed on public universities like Michigan State and Penn State following serious abuse scandals. APP argues that this trend reflects an effort by the Biden administration to target institutions that hold opposing ideological views.
Jon Schweppe, the Policy Director for APP and author of the report, accused the administration of using federal agencies to attack Christian schools, labeling the actions as “egregious” and calling for them to cease. The Department of Education, however, denied the accusations, stating that enforcement decisions are based on legal and regulatory standards, not a school’s religious beliefs or nonprofit status. The department claims the APP report distorts available data to support its claims.
This controversy comes amid ongoing discussions about the future of the Education Department. President-elect Donald Trump has proposed reducing or eliminating the department, advocating for a reallocation of federal education funds directly to students instead of supporting what he calls a “radical bureaucracy.” Additionally, Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has introduced legislation to dismantle the department, although such a move would require substantial support in the Senate.
The debate over the APP report underscores the wider tensions between religious institutions and the federal government, along with differing views on the role of the Department of Education. The controversy has reignited calls for greater transparency and fairness in the agency’s enforcement practices.