Changes

Almost from the day that ICR first won its degree-granting authority in California, a number of [[anticreation]] groups launched a [[propaganda]] campaign to have ICR's accreditation revoked.<ref name=rae>Bergman, Jerry. "[http://www.rae.org/ICRcase.html The Religion of Vague: An Unsuccessful Attempt by the State of California to Close a College]." ''Revolution Against Evolution'', May 22, 2003. Accessed March 19, 2008.</ref> To accomplish this, the detractors made a number of dubious accusations, which included an allegation that the examining committee that recommended ICR's initial approval was composed of "ringers, shills, and plants."<ref name=tcs>Schafersman, Steven. "[http://www.texscience.org/reviews/icr-thecb-certification.htm The Institute for Creation Research and It's (''sic'') Quest for Official Texas Certification to Award Masters Degrees in Science Education]." ''Texas Citizens for Science'', December 17, 2007; updated January 6 and January 28, 2008. Accessed March 19, 2008.</ref><ref name=dof>Bennetta, William. "[http://www.texscience.org/reviews/bennetta-degrees-of-folly.htm Degrees of Folly]." ''BASIS'', February 1989 and following. Hosted by ''Texas Citizens for Science''. Accessed March 19, 2008.</ref>

Almost from the day that ICR first won its degree-granting authority in California, a number of [[anticreation]] groups launched a [[propaganda]] campaign to have ICR's accreditation revoked.<ref name=rae>Bergman, Jerry. "[http://www.rae.org/ICRcase.html The Religion of Vague: An Unsuccessful Attempt by the State of California to Close a College]." ''Revolution Against Evolution'', May 22, 2003. Accessed March 19, 2008.</ref> To accomplish this, the detractors made a number of dubious accusations, which included an allegation that the examining committee that recommended ICR's initial approval was composed of "ringers, shills, and plants."<ref name=tcs>Schafersman, Steven. "[http://www.texscience.org/reviews/icr-thecb-certification.htm The Institute for Creation Research and It's (''sic'') Quest for Official Texas Certification to Award Masters Degrees in Science Education]." ''Texas Citizens for Science'', December 17, 2007; updated January 6 and January 28, 2008. Accessed March 19, 2008.</ref><ref name=dof>Bennetta, William. "[http://www.texscience.org/reviews/bennetta-degrees-of-folly.htm Degrees of Folly]." ''BASIS'', February 1989 and following. Hosted by ''Texas Citizens for Science''. Accessed March 19, 2008.</ref>

In 1986 the California legislature changed its accreditation requirements and required all degree-granting institutions to re-apply for accreditation. But in addition to a new law, the California Department of Education had a new superintendent, [[William Honig]]. Honig sent a second review committee to the school in 1988. At first this committee voted 3-2 to approve re-accreditation.<ref name=tcs/> But Honig wouldn't accept that, and persuaded one member of the committee to change his vote.<ref name=tcs/><ref name=rae/> Bennetta<ref name=dof/> insists that the initial (1981) inspection was a sham, and that at least two of the committeemen who cast the favorable votes in 1988 were, in his words, "ringers"--a charge that Bergman<ref name=rae/> rejects out-of-hand.

In 1986 the California legislature changed its accreditation requirements and required all degree-granting institutions to re-apply for accreditation. But in addition to a new law, the California Department of Education had a new superintendent, [[William Honig]]. Honig sent a second review committee to the school in 1988. At first this committee voted 3-2 to approve re-accreditation.<ref name=tcs/> But Honig wouldn't accept that, and persuaded one member of the committee to change his vote.<ref name=rae/><ref name=tcs/> Bennetta<ref name=dof/> insists that the initial (1981) inspection was a sham, and that at least two of the committeemen who cast the favorable votes in 1988 were, in his words, "ringers"—a charge that Bergman<ref name=rae/> rejects out-of-hand.

In any event, Mr. Honig insisted that any school seeking accreditation in California would teach [[naturalism|naturalistic]] [[evolution]] and only naturalistic evolution. ICR offered a compromise of teaching at least as much about the [[theory of evolution]] as any secular school would, but this did not satisfy Mr. Honig. Yet another five-member team of site visitors came to the school in August 1989, and they voted four to one to deny the ICR Graduate School the right to operate. Mr. Honig stated as the reason for the denial the continued teaching of [[creationism]] at the school.<ref name=tcs/><ref name=rae/>

In any event, Mr. Honig insisted that any school seeking accreditation in California would teach [[naturalism|naturalistic]] [[evolution]] and only naturalistic evolution. ICR offered a compromise of teaching at least as much about the [[theory of evolution]] as any secular school would, but this did not satisfy Mr. Honig. Yet another five-member team of site visitors came to the school in August 1989, and they voted four to one to deny the ICR Graduate School the right to operate. Mr. Honig stated as the reason for the denial the continued teaching of [[creationism]] at the school.<ref name=rae/><ref name=tcs/>

ICR sued the State in US District Court in 1990 following this announcement. Several members of the California legislature took exception to the State's action<ref name=rae/> and even recommended that several civil-rights organizations formally investigate. In addition, several national and international scientists also voiced disapproval of the decision.

ICR sued the State in US District Court in 1990 following this announcement. Several members of the California legislature took exception to the State's action<ref name=rae/> and even recommended that several civil-rights organizations formally investigate. In addition, several national and international scientists also voiced disapproval of the decision.

Nevertheless, Commissioner of Higher Education Raymundo Paredes began distancing himself from the ICR application almost at once in his public commentaries. In fact, he convened a ''separate'' panel of scientists and science teachers and from them obtained a recommendation against the School. No one from the School was allowed even to make a presentation to this separate panel.<ref name=Morris2>Morris, Henry M., III. Press release issued April 25, 2008, from ICR's offices, Dallas, Texas.</ref>

Nevertheless, Commissioner of Higher Education Raymundo Paredes began distancing himself from the ICR application almost at once in his public commentaries. In fact, he convened a ''separate'' panel of scientists and science teachers and from them obtained a recommendation against the School. No one from the School was allowed even to make a presentation to this separate panel.<ref name=Morris2>Morris, Henry M., III. Press release issued April 25, 2008, from ICR's offices, Dallas, Texas.</ref>

In March of 2008, ICR finished furnishing to the THECB a number of requested documents required for regulatory compliance.<ref name=Morris/> The THECB set a date to hear ICR's request for April 23-24, 2008.<ref name=Morris/><ref name=phone>Telephone interview with ICR (Dallas, TX) staff conducted March 19, 2008.</ref>

In March 2008, ICR finished furnishing to the THECB a number of requested documents required for regulatory compliance.<ref name=Morris/> The THECB set a date to hear ICR's request for April 23–24, 2008.<ref name=Morris/><ref name=phone>Telephone interview with ICR (Dallas, TX) staff conducted March 19, 2008.</ref>

On April 23, 2008, the THECB's Academic Excellence and Research Committee held an unusual thirty-minute "public hearing" (actually a request-for-public-comment) with ten three-minute slots for interested witnesses.<ref name=Morris/> Following that hearing, the AERC voted unanimously to deny the ICR Graduate School's application.<ref name=Haurwitz>Haurwitz, Ralph K. M. "[http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/04/24/0424creation.html Creation institute's proposal rejected by panel]." ''Austin American-Statesman'', April 24, 2008. Accessed April 24, 2008.</ref>

On April 23, 2008, the THECB's Academic Excellence and Research Committee held an unusual thirty-minute "public hearing" (actually a request-for-public-comment) with ten three-minute slots for interested witnesses.<ref name=Morris/> Following that hearing, the AERC voted unanimously to deny the ICR Graduate School's application.<ref name=Haurwitz>Haurwitz, Ralph K. M. "[http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/04/24/0424creation.html Creation institute's proposal rejected by panel]." ''Austin American-Statesman'', April 24, 2008. Accessed April 24, 2008.</ref>