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In the beginning of Shortchanged: How Advanced Placement Cheat Students, Annie Abrams recounts her experience teaching AP courses in a public high school in New York City.

It was 2016. She had just finished earning a Ph.D. in American literature at New York University, and so she expected to have few problems with the material.

I was wrong to assume continuity between the experiences of teaching liberal arts courses and navigating the Advanced Placement program, she writes. Teaching in college, she had learned the point of marking essays, which was to help students refine their thinking while instilling in them the confidence that they were capable of intellectual growth.

Abrams continues, As a teacher of Advanced Placement, I tried to offer meaningful feedback to her students. But my literature course now had two goals: helping students take their own minds seriously and giving them specificand often competingtools to perform well on a high stakes test at the end of the year."

And she writes that, overwhelmed by the volume of papers I was expected to grade and the limited time in which I was expected to do it, she saw the definite appeal of using the College Boards scale (then 1 to 9) and using its canned commentary for each point.

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But rubrics changed students relationships to their writing, and to me, as their reader. Abrams writes that the exercise became mechanical.

Her criticism is applied equally across the disciplines, and she doesnt focus on the recent controversy over the new AP course in African American Studies.

The creation of the AP program itself isnt the problem for Abrams. In several chapters, she reviews the programs history and finds the founders intentions of aligning liberal arts education across high schools and colleges in ways they believed would protect democracy.

The problem, she writes, is the collateral damage caused by moving away from this vision and to an emphasis on testing.

The most damning portions of the book are on the present state of AP.

In a chapter called Copy Paste Classroom, Abrams discusses the AP Classroom, a new digital platform created by the College Board, and how it has made instruction a perversely dehumanized transaction.

The classroom has such features as topic questions and personal progress checks.

AP Classroom is a cheaper version of the real thing, and the quality of education it offers is likewise impoverished, Abrams writes. The presentation of information is clean, sterile and static.

The manual for U.S. history teachers is simultaneously dizzying and reductive, she writes. Everything is quantifiable: there are nine units and roughly 15 instructional periods per unit. Each day has an associated skill from a list of six, a reasoning process from a list of three and a theme from a list of eight. Of all these features, Abrams writes, there is not an emphasis on teaching. Who knows? And, one suspects, who cares? Whats clear is that the insistence of systematizing desiccates the courses meaning.

She continues, I am not a historian by training. But it came as a surprise to me that American national identity was not a main concern from 1890 to 1945, nor has it been one from 1980 to the present. It has clearly felt like one of the countrys defining contests in my lifetime.

While the College Board does not require teachers to use Classroom, Abram notes that even if the AP Classroom does not instill uniformity in course content upon implementation, it almost certainly will over time.

And Abrams contrasts that with the founders of AP: The AP programs founders argued that the key to stimulating genuine intellectual exploration and development was creativity and flexibility for teachers, something enjoyed in the college classroom that they expected AP classes would also manifest.

In an interview, Abrams discussed some of the challenges with fixing the AP program.

Many students, and many parents, believe that there is a direct relationship between taking AP courses (the greater the number, the better) and being admitted to a good college. Despite statements from college officials that taking AP courses is one way to demonstrate a students commitment to taking rigorous courses, students and parents believe otherwise.

People feel that they need the program, Abrams said. I do hope to reach some of those parents.

Ultimately, Abrams argues that whats needed is more money for K-12 systems, and not just for AP programs, but for quality investments at all levels. And also more funds for higher education. She said enough money is needed so districts cant assume AP has the answers.

She acknowledged this isnt going to happen anytime soon but said that is not a reason to hold back.

Abrams reached out to the College Board when she was conducting research for the book. She said she wanted information that was in the organizations archives. She never received any answer.

The College Board responded to Inside Higher Eds request to talk about the book with a statement:

The great strength of the AP Program is the community of talented, dedicated teachers who care about their students and feel passionate about their subjects. We hear from thousands of those teachers every year, and their insights help make AP more effective and more inspiring for students. Annie Abramss Shortchanged offers one, limited view We find her examination of the AP Program not reflective of the experiences of the broader community of AP teachers and the students they serve. If she had consulted with any of the thousands of AP teachers educating across a variety of subjects, she would have found that students from all backgrounds can excel when they have the right preparation, a welcoming invitation, and a genuine sense of belonging.

The statement continued: For schools across the countryurban and rural, large and small, well-resourced and economically strugglingAP provides a broad framework and a wealth of resources so that teachers at all levels can offer a college-level experience. AP frameworks are flexible by design so that teachers use their experience and creativity to expand and enhance the curricula. No two AP classes are alike, because they rely so thoroughly on the talent and commitment of individual teachers.

As for Abrams, who is currently on leave from her teaching job, she said she wasnt sure if, upon return, she would again teach an AP course.

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New book attacks the AP programs - Inside Higher Ed

Central Colleges kinesiology program has earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of the Exercise Sciences.

Centrals kinesiology program is the only accredited program in Iowa and one of 99 in the nation. Centrals strength and conditioning program continues to be one of five programs across the nation approved by the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education.

I am proud that Central is a leader in the field of kinesiology and strength and conditioning, says Dave Pavlat, associate professor of kinesiology and program director of strength and conditioning. Our department is committed to our students so that they receive the best possible opportunities during their time at Central and after they graduate.

To be accredited by the CAAHEP, Central had to complete a meticulous nine-step accreditation process which included a comprehensive review and a site visit. During this process, Central faculty and staff showed strong dedication to their students and the program by teaching, demonstrating and facilitating important skills and concepts of the major.

This accreditation is important for students who are looking to earn the American College of Sports Medicines Certified Exercise Physiologist certification as it will be a national requirement beginning in 2027.

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Central's Kinesiology and Strength and Conditioning Programs ... - KNIA KRLS Radio

Master of Biological Sciences student Miguel Anselmo played football for over 10 years as a kid. His parents ran marathons and competed in grueling IRONMAN triathlons. He knows how the body works, how to take care of it, and how to train responsibly.But during the summer before his first year of college, Anselmos father, an experienced endurance athlete, died unexpectedly.I remember being really confused, Anselmo says. Because if you just saw him on the street, you would think this guy's very healthy, very active. But somehow he still passed away from a stroke.Anselmos time as an undergraduate was marked by both growth and grief. While he enjoyed doing research and digging into the scientific process, he wasnt sure where his education would take him.He decided to apply for the Master of Biological Sciences degree because it was more customizable than many other science masters programs. It would allow him to build a degree using courses from a variety of University departments and colleges.I really wanted to study the connection between endurance performance and cardiovascular health, because that would allow me to understand what happened to my dad, Anselmo says. I wouldn't even call it an interestthat's too tame of a word. It was something I had to do.Anselmo applied to work with Assistant Professor Manda Keller-Ross in the Cardiovascular Research and Rehabilitation Laboratory (CRRL) at the University of Minnesota Medical School. This was during the peak of COVID, and although she wanted to take him on, CRRL didnt have the space.But Anselmo went back a month later. I was like, can I just do something? Can I just sit in on meetings? And then she said, Okay, let's have you join our journal clubs, and so I just kept being persistent. Eventually she said, Okay, let's bring you into the lab.For Anselmo, working in the CRRL was like finding a missing puzzle piece. Understanding the basic science behind how the body regulates itself during exercise was kind of, I don't want to say relief, but it was more of, I found my thing. I found my passion, and I found the person who can help mentor me, to take that next step to carving out a niche for myself.After his dad died, Anselmos training regimen came to a standstill. He had competed in a few IRONMAN events in high school, but he wasnt really taking care of himself, physically or mentally, in college.He needed something to focus on, a goal to reach for. It had to be something that scared me, he says, so my mom and I decided to sign up for the IRONMAN that she and my dad were planning on doing before he passed awaythe IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant.I can't even find the word for it, but it was special.Anselmo is now an ultramarathon runner who also trains other endurance athletes. I find a lot of parallels between endurance sports and academics, he says. You don't necessarily want to spend two hours on a Saturday studying, but it's something that you need to do to accomplish the larger goal.Anselmo is already moving toward his next larger goal: He will continue his work with Keller-Ross in the Rehabilitation Science PhD program this fall.

This story was adapted from the College of Continuing and Professional Studies.

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Persistence, passion, and purpose - UMN News

The law enforcement agents quietly chatter among themselves, waiting for their spinning instructor, Paramus Deputy Police Chief Robert Guidetti, to start the ride.

The BCPO employees decided to take the class together in participation of the BCPO's Six Weeks of Wellness Program.The program has been running in various prosecutors offices across New Jersey, but is in its first year in Bergen County (and in its third week).

During the six weeks, BCPO members are encouraged to attend cancer screenings, mindfulness classes, participate in step challenges, tune into virtual bootcamp or bodyweight classes on the BCPO YouTube channel, attend spin and yoga classes and more.

It's all in an effort to preserve the minds and bodies of those who see some of the most horrific things in Bergen County.

"Police and anyone associated with law enforcement deals with so much vicarious trauma and are exposed to so many things that we beg them not to take home," Love said.

"Anyone from clerical people or detectives in the digital forensic lab, are given arenas to exercise good behavior, and the more we can open them up to understanding that our office supports these activities, the better we'll be."

Before Guidetti's class, the room felt tense. But song-by-song, the law enforcement officers were loosening up. They were sweating, working, encouraging each other, and some, singing.

By the end, the room was all smiles.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Elizabeth Rebein, the whole idea behind the six-week challenge is to help members create good habits and build a strong support system.

"What we hope is that making the opportunities available creates this culture of support that people will continue to prioritize wellness, and keep those good habits after the six weeks are over," she said.

"We want them to take the time to go to the doctor or walk more.The challenge is that you're trying to get people to change their behavior and do a little bit more than they did before."

According to Guidetti, the benefits of group fitness pays dividends beyond exercise alone, provingbeneficial in increasing energy, team engagement, morale, and more.

"After class, each the riders felt accomplishment," the deputy chief said. "Not only personal, but as a team."

Having more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, Guidetti has endured injuries and health episodes due to the lifestyle.He feels having healthier employees will translate to not only less sick days and higher productivity.

Being proactive, he says, is key.

Sue Larson, a physical conditioning instructor at the Bergen County Police Academy, will like Guidetti be teaching several spin classes for the initiative.

Larson says being able to exercise and exhaust the body is integral in calming the mind.

"Exercise is the best medicine," said Larson, who also teaches stress management and mindfulness at Ramapo College. "By exhausting your mind and stressing your nervous system in that way can help deal with the day-to-day realities of what these BCPO members see.

"Couple that with the mental health programs that they have, and some of the mindfulness and stress reduction work, they're going to look at it from a very sound wellness perspective."

Larson feels the most important thing about the Six Weeks of Wellness Program is that BCPO leadership is demonstrating a level of commitment to employee's health and wellness.

"That will translate into how we as the community benefit from their organization," Larson said. "Having employees that are happy and fit and satisfied are more productive. They enjoy the job and that impacts everybody.

"When you apply that to law enforcement, there are lower risks of incidents, and that increases the safety of the community."

Love stressed that the program wasn't about getting everyone in tip-top shape.

"I think its important as an investigative leader to express wholeheartedly I will do anything I can do to support this campaign, and our employees."

Click here to follow Daily Voice Paramus and receive free news updates.

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Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Builds Healthier Minds, Bodies ... - Daily Voice

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas Two prominent student leaders were named West Texas A&M Universitys Woman and Man of the Year during the annual All-University Honors Ceremony.

Annie Valicek, a junior agribusiness and economics major from Houston, and Tucker Gattis, a graduate public administration student from Pottsboro, were given the respective honors during the April 21 ceremony, held by the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership in Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center.

Valicek currently serves as student body president, and Gattis is chief justice of the Student Government Association.

President Valicek and Chief Justice Gattis are two of the most impressive student leaders I have ever had the privilege with which to work, said Dr. Chris Thomas, vice president for student affairs. Their intellectual acumen coupled with their commitment to serving the WT student body are unparalleled.For all of our outstanding student leaders honored today, I am grateful for their work and proud of who they have become during their time at WT.These students represent the very best of the WT spirit.

Anna Estrada, a senior healthcare administration major from Borger, and Abby Kate Hays, a senior sports and exercise science major from Boyd, also were finalists for Woman of the Year. Caleb Frick, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Amarillo, also was a finalist for Man of the Year.

The ceremony also included several other student, faculty and staff awards.

Valicek also won the Chancellors Century Council Award, earning a $1,000 scholarship to support leadership development opportunities related to the future of Texas higher education, rural community development and/or Texas public policy.

Two winners of the Presidential Order of the Silver Buffalo Award, presented to individuals and groups who have brought national or international recognition to WT, were announced.

Allan Baltazar, a senior criminal justice major from Houston and the 2021-22 WT Man of the Year, was recognized for winning second place in a McNair Scholars competition, for his dedication to the F1RSTGEN program at WT and his membership in several student organizations. He also is part of the third Hispanic Leadership Academy cohort in the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences.

The WT Horse Judging Team also earned a Silver Buffalo for achieving the most successful record of any collegiate judging team in 2022 competitions, winning the American Quarter Horse Association world championship and other titles.

Outstanding student organization president is Starla Lawhon, a senior wildlife biology major from Georgetown, and president of the Residence Hall Association.

Finalists also included Hays, president of Students Assisting in Good Endeavors, and Juan Aguinaga, a sophomore marketing major from Plains, president of Hispanic Student Association.

Outstanding student organization is the African Student Organization, which aims to educate the community about and fight misconceptions of Africa.

Finalists included the Agronomy Club and Student Government Association.

Outstanding student organization adviser is Sabrina Pugh, SAGE adviser. Finalists were Dane Glenn of KWTS The One 91.1 FM and Nic McCullough of Residence Hall Association.

J.D. Morrison, a 2009 WT alumnus from Amarillo, was given the Student Engagement and Leadership Partnership award for his impact on Greek life on campus.

The Daniel and Myrna Raffkind Scholarship for Single Parents was given to Audra Beatty, a senior education major from Amarillo; and Kimberly Gladney, a senior communication disorders major from The Woodlands

Felipe Carrera, a senior finance major from Arlington, and Tressa Reed, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Fowler, Colorado, were recognized as graduating 2022-23 Leadership Board members.

University Spirit Recognition Awards were given to Alexandra McPhillips, a senior dance major from Conroe; Larissa Alderete, a sophomore marketing major from Plainview; and Lexi Farmer, a sophomore digital communication and media major from Amarillo.

Mara Rodarte-Suto, a graduate student in public administration from Amarillo, and Roper Pigg, a sophomore agribusiness major from Briscoe, were named winners of the Presidents Community Service Scholarship.

Student Government Association also gave several awards:

Students also were recognized for completing a track in the Student Leadership Relay, a University-wide program designed to enhance leadership experience for all students. Those recognized April 21 included Carrera, Lawhon and Reed, along with Louis Alcala, a senior business major from Dalhart; Erin Arias, a senior animal science major from Leander; Wesley Browne, a senior animal science major from Waxahachie; Jake Day, a junior education major from Matador; Quinn Dunham, a junior agriculture media and communication major from Greensboro, North Carolina; Anna Estrada, a senior health sciences major from Borger; Rylee Finley, a junior agriculture media and communication major from Amarillo; Kylee Henneberry, a junior agribusiness and economics major from Hartford, Wisconsin; Hannah Holt, a senior psychology major from Amarillo; Sarah King, a senior nursing major from Amarillo; Yalena MacDonald, a junior biology major from Minot, North Dakota; Emma Morris, a senior criminal justice major from Sunray; Grace Nyabatware, a senior political science major from Amarillo; Gracie Oates, a junior agriculture media and communication major from Paradise; Caroline Olson, a junior animal science major from Dripping Springs; Alessandra Rendon, a senior sports and exercise science major from Amarillo; Kaylee Rhodes, a junior health sciences major from Guymon, Oklahoma; Holly Thomas, a senior animal science major from Templeton, California; Felicia Valero, a senior social work major from Amarillo; and Kyler Wilhelm, a junior management major from Canyon.

WTs values of citizenship, hard work and servant leadership are the underpinnings of the Universitys long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the five-year campaign which publicly launched in September 2021 has raised more than $120 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwests finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 mens and womens athletics programs.

WT

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WT Woman, Man of the Year Celebrated Among Other Outstanding ... - West Texas A&M University

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Community Wellness Initiative hopes to educate on health - NEXTpittsburgh

The Southeastern Indiana YMCA opened the Outdoor Community Sports Complex this year. (Provided Photo)

(Batesville, IN) Free Willy and Jurassic Park reigned supreme at the box office, and a Sony Walkman cost $29.98.

Do you know what else was happening in April 1993? The Southeastern Indiana YMCA was opening its doors, welcoming all to find a place of community in spirit, mind, and body.

The Southeastern Indiana YMCA is inviting all in the community to take part in a week-long celebration of events to commemorate their 30th Anniversary, Monday-Friday, April 17-21, 2023.

Group Exercise classes will be free to everyone all week and on Friday, April 21, the community has free access to the Y all day.

Other events open to the community include, but are not limited to:

Find a full schedule of events at http://www.siymca.org.

In Southeastern Indiana, the Y is more than a gym, its a place of community, says Tara Britton, Southeastern Indiana YMCA Chief Executive Officer. We work to ensure that everyone has the tools they need to reach their full potential whether that is through our Summer Day Camp, a Parkinsons Bootcamp class, or our Safety Around Water program, we are here for you and your family.

In the first year they opened from 1993-1994, the Southeastern Indiana YMCA offered a Wellness Center, aquatics programs, and a preschool.

In 1995 they expanded their facility to offer state-licensed full-facility childcare with a capacity of 140+ children.

In December 1999, they added a second gymnasium, 3 new program rooms, an expanded running track, and a racquetball court.

They offer income-based memberships, and free group exercise classes to members, and in 2016 24-hour access was made available to members 18 and older.

This year the Y opened its Outdoor Community Sports Complex with access to all.

From stage one Swim Lessons to Weightlifting for Athletes, from Healthy Heart and Zumba Gold to BodyPump and Cycling classes, the Y offers programs for all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels.

(Southeastern Indiana YMCA press release)

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Southeastern Indiana YMCA celebrates 30 years of serving the ... - Country 103.9 WRBI

April 12, 2023

Active Generations is on track to open its second Sioux Falls location this summer and has started a final fundraising effort.

The new center at Dawley Farm Village will take pressure off the one at 2300 W. 46th St. and position the organization for a future in which it estimates the aging population of Minnehaha County is expected to double by 2035.

Everything we do will be duplicated at the east-side location, president and CEO Gerald Beninga said. Were in great shape but not quite done yet.

Construction on the 30,000-square-foot building began about a year ago in the area of 18th Street and Foss Avenue with a lead gift from Denny Sanford.

It includes an enlarged space for Active Generations Day Break services, which offer guided care for individuals with dementia, Alzheimers disease or other diagnoses that do not allow them to be home while their caregivers are away. Its estimated the east-side location will support more than 30 individuals daily to start.

Renderings by ISG

That program is growing significantly, Beninga said. We absorb quickly. Its amazing. We survey people that use our services, and 30 percent say if we didnt have that program they would be unable to work or keep up with their personal schedules, shopping and medical appointments. Its a quality-of-life issue.

There also is outdoor gathering space and two outdoor pickleball courts, which will be ready as soon as weather allows painting to be done.

Indoor fitness is a focus as well, with dedicated space for pickleball, which has been extremely popular at the west-side location, Beninga said. Theres also room for group fitness classes, activities and a flexible studio space for arts and crafts.

Active Generation is involved in about 60 activities.

Were also going to expand some of the exercise programs and classes for the adult population to continue to rehab, so balance and strength classes are extremely important in that age group to prevent falls, Beninga said. So that will be an emphasis.

Hours also will be expanded at both locations to encourage participation earlier in the morning and after work. While Active Generations mostly serves those 60 and older, its open to all ages with a membership. In 2022, an annual membership for a couple was $70 and applies to the social and recreational portion of the center. Day services, nutrition programming, caregiver outreach, tax help and other services do not require membership and largely are supported with donations.

Work on the east-side location is three or four months away from being done, Beninga said.

Recently, Active Generations and the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce launched a $3.7 million community appeals campaign to help with the balance of the estimated $16.3 million project. The emphasis in fundraising includes the Day Break program, options for social engagement and well-being programs, and nutrition services.

At the new location, Active Generations expects to serve up to 200 more meals daily, as well as expanded Meals on Wheels programming. Volunteers will be able to pick up meals on the east side as that programs participation has swelled since the pandemic.

The overall goal of all programming is to help older adults age in place as independently as possible, Beninga said.

If theres anything we learned from COVID, its how important social and recreational engagement is to people, he said. Especially this group that doesnt spend as much time virtually or on the internet. They want personal contact, and I get that.

More than 70 community leaders signed on to help drive the Active Generations campaign, led by Premier Bankcard CEO Miles Beacom, Avera Health CEO Bob Sutton and Sanford Health CEO Bill Gassen.

Its really going to enhance the quality of life for the aging population and its convenient, Beacom said. A lot of people dont go places in Sioux Falls because its not convenient, so this will really help the aging population continue to utilize those services.

The campaign also is a good chance to educate the community about the services offered, and early response has been very positive, he said. People are aware of the need, businesses are, and this just pulls at the heartstrings of the community. For our appeals kickoff, we said this is a great way to say thank you to the aging population for building the city of Sioux Falls into the great city it is today.

The community appeals campaign runs through July 31.

Im thrilled to death with the leadership and the number of people who have volunteered to support this effort, Beninga said. Its been everything and more than what we expected.

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Active Generations enters final phase of new east-side building - SiouxFalls.Business

On March 30, the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative hosted a panel discussion that explored the dynamic and complex intersection of education and religious liberty. The event featured accomplished attorneys who have taken up cases that pose questions about the interpretation of the Free Exercise Clause in relation to educational programs.

In the discussion, titled Carson v. Makin, Parental Choice, and Religious Liberty, the panel of school choice and religious liberty experts offered their insights on the implications and impact of the Supreme Courts recent decision in Carson v. Makin, which held that religious schools must be included in private-school-choice programs. As the initial discussion about Carson v. Makin unfolded, the panelists addressed a range of other relevant topics pertaining to the legal landscape for educational programs, such as related cases outside the school choice context, as well as the development of the unconstitutional conditions doctrine.

The panelists included Michael Bindas, senior attorney with the Institute for Justice; Michael Helfand, Brenden Mann Foundation Chair in Law and Religion and professor of law at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law; Michael Moreland, professor of law and religion at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and director of the Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy; and Laura Wolk Slavis, counsel at Becket Law and a 2016 graduate of Notre Dame Law School.

Nicole Stelle Garnett, John P. Murphy Foundation professor of law and associate dean for external engagement at Notre Dame Law School, organized and moderated the panel discussion.

Bindas, a school choice litigator who leads the Institute for Justices educational choice team, kicked off the discussion by briefly summarizing the facts of Carson v. Makin and addressing the legal questions raised in the case. He served as lead counsel for the plaintiffs in Carson and argued the case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The main legal question in Carson was whether a state that has a school choice program can prohibit parents from selecting schools that provide religious instruction for their children. His team contended that the exclusion of religious schools from Maines state tuition program violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, and the U.S. Supreme Court agreed.

When many people think about the First Amendment, they think about the Free Speech Clause, and while thats certainly a vital protection, so, too, is the Free Exercise Clause, which enables people to live in accordance with the dictates of their faith, Bindas said. Especially of interest to me is the protection the Free Exercise Clause provides for parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children. I enjoy that protection as a parent, but I also have the privilege of litigating to ensure that other parents have the ability and right to select a religious school if that is what they believe is best for their children.

According to Bindas, Carson makes clear that the Free Exercise Clause prevents the state from denying an otherwise available benefit or penalizing parents simply because they believe that a religious education is the best option for their children. Through this ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has paved the way for greater school choice in the United States.

The implications of the Carson decision are not just limited to the school choice context, however. The Courts decision applies more broadly to prohibit religious discrimination in other types of public benefit programs, as well.

Helfand, who serves as co-director of the Nootbaar Institute for Law, Religion and Ethics at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, addressed the deeper underlying problems that religious discrimination creates. Reflecting on the significance of Carson v. Makin and similar cases, Helfand said, From my vantage point, withholding generally available funds from religious institutions because they are religious simply is religious discrimination. In that way, the problem isnt just that religious entities lose out on important funds and important benefits. The problem is that it singles them out, gives them less, and thereby undermines their status as equal citizens.

Both Helfand and Wolk Slavis are actively involved in the recent case Loffman v. California Department of Education, which follows a similar track of litigation to that of Carson v. Makin. In Loffman, a group of three Orthodox Jewish families and two Orthodox Jewish schools are challenging a California law that excludes religious parents and schools from using federal and state special education funding to serve children with disabilities. Wolk Slavis is part of Becket Laws litigation team that is challenging the California law based on First Amendment grounds. Helfand is also very involved in the Loffman case, having brought Becket Law together with the Jewish families and schools that filed the lawsuit.

Wolk Slavis cited similarities between Carson and Loffman. Carson made it really clear that once a state offers a public benefit, it cannot exclude otherwise eligible participants solely because they are religious, and that is what the California law is doing, Wolk Slavis said. Under Carson, their law is unconstitutional. Its very similar to the facts that were raised in Carson.

Given the U.S. Supreme Courts recent ruling in Carson v. Makin, Wolk Slavis is hopeful about the Loffman case. We are hoping that California politicians will see the writing on the wall in light of Carson, she said.

Highlighting the significance of the case, she added, The Loffman case is an example of outmoded First Amendment jurisprudence at work and how state law continues to be influenced by it, so were hopeful that Loffman will help to correct course to have state law be more in line with First Amendment principles.

Helfand believes that it will become vitally important in the coming years for the legal community to analyze the law in a wide range of jurisdictions and determine which laws violate the First Amendment. Weve got to clean up our act and make sure that benefits are equally accessible to all people regardless of their faith, he said. Every child should be able to have access to an education that meets their special needs, whether or not the school is religious.

In addition to discussing the parallels between the Carson and Loffman cases, the panelists examined regulatory strings questions and the development of the unconstitutional conditions doctrine.

Moreland believes that there has been large development of the unconstitutional conditions doctrine in regard to free speech, but much less in the free exercise context. He posed the question, Instead of prohibiting religious participation in these benefit programs, what if the government imposes conditions or strings on the recipients of these benefits? Moreland said that this is the question being posed currently in somewhat undeveloped form.

Helfand added, Now that the government has to include religious institutions in government funding programs, can it put strings on those funds in order to accomplish a new set of objectives? That is the big question. His general view is that, with the way religious liberty protections are now, the government is allowed to attach strings that are neutral and generally applicable.

Bindas considered the compelling relationship between religious liberty and education for many families. He reiterated that while religious liberty ensures that citizens are free to believe and practice their faith, it also helps to ensure that parents have the right to direct the education of their children.

Parents know better than anyone what type of education works best for their children. For some children, it might be a school with a strong STEM curriculum or a great arts program. For others, it might be a school that provides religious instruction, he said. Parents should be able to choose that type of education if they believe that is what is in the best interest of their children.

The panel discussion was part of a series of book launch events for The Case for Parental Choice: God, Family, and Educational Liberty by John E. Coons, a visionary legal scholar and ardent proponent of parental school choice. In addition to the panel event, Garnett organized a virtual book launch at which Coons, Notre Dame Law School Dean G. Marcus Cole, and other scholars and advocates discussed the book and the state of the current school choice movement. In the evening, the Institute for Justices Short Circuit podcast featured an episode on The Case for Parental Choice.

The book contains a collection of essays by Coons and is edited by University of Notre Dame faculty Nicole Stelle Garnett, Richard W. Garnett, and Ernest Morrell. The essays in The Case for Parental Choice examine a wide range of topics, including the relationship between parental choice and individual autonomy; the implications of American educational policy for social justice, equality, and community; the impact of education policy on low-income families; and the religious implications of parental choice. Collectively, these pieces present a morally compelling and richly humanitarian case for parental choice in childrens education. The themes developed in this book are becoming increasingly relevant today, as more states are enacting policies that empower parents to take control of their childrens education. Free copies of the book were distributed at the panel event, and many of the books themes were interwoven into the discussion.

About the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative

Established in 2020, the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative promotes and defends religious freedom for all people through advocacy, formation, and thought leadership. The initiative protects the freedom of individuals to hold religious beliefs as well as their right to exercise and express those beliefs and to live according to them.

The Religious Liberty Initiative has represented individuals and organizations from an array of faith traditions to defend the right to religious worship, to preserve sacred lands from destruction, to promote the freedom to select religious ministers, and to prevent discrimination against religious schools and families.

Learn more about the Religious Liberty Initiative at https://religiousliberty.nd.edu/.

Originally published by Arienne Calingo at religiousliberty.nd.edu on April 11, 2023.

Original post:
Panelists share insights on Carson v. Makin and the legal landscape ... - Notre Dame Law School

University of Minnesota men's basketball head coach Ben Johnson has announced the addition of Jack Wilson to the program. Wilson, a center from Montara, Calif., is scheduled to join the Golden Gophers this summer as a graduate transfer.

"Jack is a strong, physical player who fits the Big Ten and its style of play," Johnson said. "He's a willing worker, loves to compete and is a good athlete. Over the course of his career, he's been around some great programs and understands what it takes to be successful. We're excited to have Jack join the team and look forward to working with him."

Wilson, a 6-11, 315 center, comes to Minnesota as a two-sport athlete at Washington State. In 2022-23, Wilson joined the basketball team after completing his WSU football career and appeared in 14 games this past season. Wilson was a member of the WSU football team from 2020-22 where he appeared in 25 games. Prior to his time at Washington State, Wilson played basketball at Idaho and Oregon State. In 2019-20 at Idaho, Wilson saw action in 18 games, and averaged 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds. As a freshman in 2018-19 at Oregon State, he played in seven games before transferring to Idaho. A high school athlete at Junipero Serra (Calif.), Wilson was a four-star recruit (ESPN.com) where he averaged 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks as a junior. A four-time all-conference selection, Wilson was also a two-time WCAL All-League Team.

Wilson is set to receive an undergraduate social science degree from Washington State and will look to obtain a master's degree from Minnesota in exercise & sports science.

Read the rest here:
Jack Wilson Set to Join Gopher Men's Basketball Program - GopherSports.com

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