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ICR School of Biblical Apologetics (view source)
Revision as of 15:52, April 24, 2008
, 15:52, April 24, 2008→History: Rearrange (no edits except what is clear from the diff)
ICR founded its graduate school in 1981. The school quickly won accreditation from the California Department of Education and began its course offerings immediately.
ICR founded its graduate school in 1981. The school quickly won accreditation from the California Department of Education and began its course offerings immediately.
=== Controversy ===
=== Texas Relocation ===
In 2006, at the original urging of [[Henry Morris]] II, ICR's founder, ICR approved and set in motion a plan to relocate most of its operations, including the school, to Texas.<ref name=move>Morris, John D. "[http://www.icr.org/article/3471/ Moving God's Way]." ''Institute for Creation Research'', October, 2007. Accessed March 19, 2008.</ref> ICR's stated reasons for the move are threefold:
# High cost-of-living in California and especially the cost of housing. Living expenses in northern Texas are much less.
# Desire for a more-central location with respect to ICR's national and international donor base and speaking engagements.
# Likelihood of a higher level of community support in northern Texas than in southern California.
Henry Morris passed away in 2006. Beginning in 2007, leadership of the institute and school passed to his two sons, [[Henry Morris III]] and [[John D. Morris]].
=== Controversies ===
==== Accreditation in California ====
From that year forward, 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>
From that year forward, 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>
Shortly before the case was to come to trial, the California Department of Education abruptly settled with ICR and the school. The school was now approved to operate without restriction, and indeed the State now paid the school $225,000 US to cover its court costs.<ref name=rae/><ref name=tcs/> The approval was set to expire in 1995, but by then the State had recognized the Trans-national Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) as a legitimate accrediting agency, and separate State approval was now unnecessary.
Shortly before the case was to come to trial, the California Department of Education abruptly settled with ICR and the school. The school was now approved to operate without restriction, and indeed the State now paid the school $225,000 US to cover its court costs.<ref name=rae/><ref name=tcs/> The approval was set to expire in 1995, but by then the State had recognized the Trans-national Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) as a legitimate accrediting agency, and separate State approval was now unnecessary.
==== Accreditation in Texax ====
The Texas relocation required the school to once again seek formal State accreditation, because Texas does not recognize TRACS as an accrediting agency. The school passed one initial site evaluation.<ref name=dmn>Hacker, Holly K. "[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/121507dnmetcreation.2b0d011.html Creation college seeks state's OK to train teachers]." ''Dallas Morning News'', December 15, 2007. Accessed March 19, 2007.</ref> Subsequent to this, the Texas Higher Education Co-ordinating Board received 230 e-mails from interested parties. A review of the e-mails by ICR staff reveals that 177 individuals sent e-mails in support of ICR's application, while 36 individuals sent a total of 43 e-mails expressing opposition.<ref name=Morris>Morris, Henry M., III. E-mail to supporters dated April 17, 2008; received April 18, 2008, at 0844 UTC.</ref> Nevertheless, the Commissioner of Higher Education began distancing himself from the ICR application almost at once in his public commentaries.
The Texas relocation requires the school once again to seek formal State accreditation, because Texas does not recognize TRACS as an accrediting agency. The school passed one initial site evaluation.<ref name=dmn>Hacker, Holly K. "[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/121507dnmetcreation.2b0d011.html Creation college seeks state's OK to train teachers]." ''Dallas Morning News'', December 15, 2007. Accessed March 19, 2007.</ref> Subsequent to this, the Texas Higher Education Co-ordinating Board received 230 e-mails from interested parties. A review of the e-mails by ICR staff reveals that 177 individuals sent e-mails in support of ICR's application, while 36 individuals sent a total of 43 e-mails expressing opposition.<ref name=Morris>Morris, Henry M., III. E-mail to supporters dated April 17, 2008; received April 18, 2008, at 0844 UTC.</ref> Nevertheless, the Commissioner of Higher Education began distancing himself from the ICR application almost at once in his public commentaries.
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 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>