What is the status of the lawsuit brought by the American
Jewish Congress over AmeriCorps awards to participants in Notre
Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education (Seen and Heard, Winter
2002-03):
Last fall the American Jewish Congress brought suit against the
Corporation for National & Community Service (AmeriCorps)
over education grants AmeriCorps awards to participants in Notre
Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education program. ACE places recent
graduates in under-resourced Catholic elementary and secondary
schools, mostly in the South and Southwest.
The Jewish group argued that ACE and two similar programs amount
to taxpayer support of religious indoctrination, even though participants
aren't allowed to earn credit toward the grants while teaching
religion.
According to an official with the Jewish group, the government
moved for summary judgment against the suit and as of early March
was waiting for the judge to rule. The plaintiffs asked for "discovery"
or disclosure of pertinent documents and other evidence so the
suit could move forward.
* * *
April 2003
