From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Association of Christian Schools International
Association of Christian Schools International
Association of Christian Schools International ficially recognized by the National Council for Private
School Accreditation (NCPSA).[7] The United States
Department of Education does not recognize or certify
agencies for the accreditation of primary and secondary
schools, including regional accrediting agencies.
Abbreviation ACSI
History
ACSI was founded in 1978 through the merger of three
Motto To enable Christian educators and schools
worldwide to effectively prepare students associations: The National Christian School Education As-
for life. sociation; The Ohio Association of Christian Schools; and
the Western Association of Christian Schools. Soon after
Formation 1978
the new association formed, several other Christian
Type Non-governmental organization school associations joined ACSI: The Southeast Associa-
tion of Christian Schools; the Association of Teachers of
Purpose/ Association for Christian educators.
focus Christian Schools (Midwest); the Great Plains Association
of Christian Schools; and the Texas Association of Christ-
Headquarters Colorado Springs, CO ian Schools.[8]
Region served Worldwide ACSI was first headquartered in La Habra, California,
and moved to its larger headquarters in Colorado
Membership 22,900 schools
Springs, Colorado, in 1994. Today, in addition to the
President Brian Simmons headquarters facility, ACSI has 27 regional offices world-
wide and serves 23,400 member schools in 106 countries.
Staff 100
ACSI is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization governed by a
Website www.acsi.org 36-member Executive Board elected by member
schools.[8]
ACSI)
The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI
is an association of evangelical Protestant Christian
schools. Lawsuit
Main article: Association of Christian Schools Interna-
Purposes tional et al. v. Roman Stearns et al.
In spring 2006 the Association of Christian Schools Inter-
ACSI states that it "strives to enable and equip Christian national sued the University of California system alleg-
educators and schools worldwide to effectively educate ing that the rejection of several Christian science courses
children and young people with the mind of Christ."[1] was "viewpoint discrimination" which violated the con-
The principles it supports include a belief that Scripture stitutional rights of applicants from Christian schools
is the revealed Word of God[2] and should be taught as whose high school coursework is deemed inadequate
truth.[3] preparation for college. The lawsuit was brought by the
The association offers accreditation for early-educa- parents of six children who had not been rejected from
tion programs, primary, and secondary schools; teacher the university. In August 2006, the case Association of
certification; curriculum;[4] legal/legislative services;[5] Christian Schools International v. Roman Stearns was allowed
and urban school services.[6] to proceed against the university while lawsuits against
Because ACSI does not accredit colleges or universi- individual school officials were thrown out.[9]
ties, it is not recognized as an accreditor of higher edu- The National Center for Science Education noted,
cation institutions by the Council for Higher Education "One of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs is Wendell
Accreditation or the United States Department of Educa- Bird, a former staff attorney for the Institute for Creation
tion. However, the organization does allow institutions Research. As a special assistant attorney general for
of higher learning to be "member" schools, which should Louisiana, he defended the state’s "equal time" law,
not be confused with accreditation. In 1994 ACSI’s pri- which was ruled to be unconstitutional in Edwards v.
mary school and secondary school programs became of-
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Association of Christian Schools International
Aguillard.[9] The National Center for Science Education [7] Miller, Laura (1994-10-05). "Private School
works in collaboration with National Academy of Accrediting Group Names Members". Education
Sciences, the National Association of Biology Teachers Week. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/1994/
and the National Science Teachers Association, which 10/05/05accred.h14.html. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
consider creationism and intelligent design to be pseudo- [8] ^ "About ACSI". Association of Christian Schools
science.[10] International. http://www.acsi.org/tabid/535/
The Association retained leading intelligent design pro- itemid/76/default.aspx. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
ponent Michael Behe to testify in the case as an expert [9] ^ "Creationist lawsuit against UC system to
witness. Behe’s expert witness report claimed that the proceed" (Press release). National Center for
Christian textbooks were excellent works for high school Science Education. 2006-09-10. http://ncse.com/
students and he defended that view in a deposi- news/2006/08/creationist-lawsuit-against-uc-
tion.[11][12] system-to-proceed-00791. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
On March 28, 2008 the defendants won a legal victory [10] See: 1) List of scientific societies rejecting
when their motion for partial summary judgment was intelligent design 2) Kitzmiller v. Dover page 83.
granted, and the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judg- The Discovery Institute’s Dissent From Darwin
ment was denied.[13] On August 8, 2008, Judge Otero en- Petition has been signed by about 500 scientists.
tered summary judgment against plaintiff ACSI.[14] The AAAS, the largest association of scientists in
the U.S., has 120,000 members, and firmly rejects
References [11]
ID.
Behe, Michael J. (April 2, 2007) Expert Witness
[1] "About ACSI". Association of Christian Schools report in Association of Christian Schools
International. http://www.acsi.org/About/tabid/ International et al. v. Roman Stearns et al.
535/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2011-03-04. [12] United States District Court for the Central District
[2] "Statement of Faith". Association of Christian of California (May 30, 2007) Deposition of Michael
Schools International. http://www.acsi.org/tabid/ Behe in Association of Christian Schools
535/itemid/1305/default.aspx. Retrieved International et al. v. Roman Stearns et al.
2011-03-07. [13] "Interim victory in California creationism case"
[3] "Elements of Effective Schools". Association of (Press release). National Center for Science
Christian Schools International. Education. 2008-04-01. http://ncse.com/news/
http://www.acsi.org/tabid/535/itemid/77/ interim-victory-in-california-creationism-case.
default.aspx. Retrieved 2011-03-07. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
[4] "Services at a glance". Association of Christian [14] "Judge throws out religious discrimination suit".
Schools International. http://www.acsi.org/ North County Times. August 8, 2008.
Programs/tabid/553/Default.aspx. Retrieved http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/08/08/
2011-03-07. news/californian/murrieta/
[5] "Legal Legislative Services". Association of za3f1fe48ff6b8872882574a0000ff96d.txt. Retrieved
Christian Schools International. 2008-08-24.
http://www.acsi.org/Programs/
LegalLegislativeServices/tabid/585/Default.aspx.
Retrieved 2011-02-03.
External links
[6] "Urban School Services". Association of Christian • Association of Christian Schools International
Schools International. http://www.acsi.org/ Official website
Programs/UrbanSchoolServices/tabid/587/
Default.aspx. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/in-
dex.php?title=Association_of_Christian_Schools_International&oldid=451006199"
Categories:
• Christian education
• Christianity in Colorado
• Intelligent design organizations
• Non-profit organizations based in Colorado
• Private and independent school organizations
• Religion in Colorado Springs, Colorado
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Association of Christian Schools International
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