Texas Charter Schools Allegedly Funneling Religion Into Lessons
Claiming that God “has given [her] the jurisdiction to operate with dominion” and that running schools was “a divine assignment,” Cheryl Washington has, according to the San Antonio Current, channeled millions in both federal and state funds into building the Shekinah Learning Institute, which she founded in 1996. The SLI now comprises 13 taxpayer-funded schools across the state, receiving over $17 million in taxpayer funds and helping educate approximately 2,500 “at-risk” students, according to agency filings reported by the Current.
However, as detailed in recent media reports, Washington’s 16 years as an educator have seen myriad accusations of pushing religion in the public classroom. Americans United for Separation of Church and State recently detailed the investigation its undertaken into Washington’s methods and beliefs.
According to letters released by AU, Washington’s Truth Campus, located in
BY LINDA TRIMBLE, EDUCATION WRITER 
Fewer Volusia and Flagler elementary and middle schools earned A grades this year as state standards got tougher, reflecting a trend that was seen across Florida.
Three charter schools in the two-county area stumbled on the FCAT exams that determine the grades released today by the state, earning F ratings for the 2011-12 school year. Boston Avenue School in DeLand, Burns Science and Technology Charter School in Oak Hill and Palm Harbor Academy in Palm Coast received the failing grades.
The Florida Department of Education released grades today for elementary, middle and combination grade schools that don't serve high school students. High school grades, which