Last year, the Moody Bible Institute, which focuses on biblical training and ministry preparation, began a new elementary education program that requires students seeking a degree in elementary education to spend a minimum amount of time in classroom observation, practicum, and student teaching.
Miciah Bilger of The College Fix says Chicago Public Schools (CPS) only agreed to take Moody's student teachers if the Bible institute changed its hiring policy to "agree not to discriminate based on gender identity and sexual orientation."
"Basically Chicago Public Schools was saying if this Christian college wanted to send its student teachers there, it would have to give up its religious values," Bilger summarizes.
Congressman Tim Walberg (R-Michigan), who serves as head of the House Education Committee, has called this "deeply troubling" and has sent a letter asking Interim Superintendent Macquline King to provide documents to "determine whether potential legislative changes, including legislation to specifically address unlawful discrimination, are needed."
"Trying to tell Moody that you can't send your student teachers there … puts them really between a rock and a hard place," notes Bilger. "Moody is right in downtown Chicago."
Moody's lawsuit, filed Alliance Defending Freedom, alleges the Chicago Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools are violating their own directive prohibiting employment discrimination based on "religion," "gender identity/expression," and "sexual orientation." It is attempting to force the Bible institute to abandon its religiously based hiring practices, according to the lawsuit.
CPS has so far refused to amend its policy and has not commented on the matter. In November, a spokesperson told The College Fix the district "remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students."
