Chicago Student-Teaching Program Once Again Open to Moody Students

Moody Bible Institute and City of Chicago reach settlement agreement.

Moody Bible Institute / Photo via ADF

Student teachers from Moody Bible Institute of Chicago will be able to conduct their required student teaching in the Chicago Public Schools.

Moody filed a lawsuit in November against the Board of Education of the City of Chicago for excluding its students from the student teaching program in the Chicago Public Schools, even though the school system has a hard time filling teaching vacancies.

Moody students were excluded, according to the lawsuit, because Moody only employs people who agree with its religious beliefs.

According to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which represented Moody in the lawsuit, the two parties have reached a settlement agreement.

The school system modified its Student Teacher Internship Agreement to recognize Moody’s right to hire those who agree with its religious beliefs. The change allowed Moody to sign the agreement and participate in the student-teaching program.

Chicago Public Schools now lists Moody Bible Institute as an approved partner on its website, according to the ADF press release.

“We are deeply grateful that a resolution has been reached affirming our constitutional right to hire individuals who are aligned with our core mission and biblical values,” Moody Provost Dr. Tim Sisk said in the press release.

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“Moody’s Elementary Education students are eager and well prepared to participate in the [Chicago Public Schools] student teaching program, which is an essential and formative part of their journey toward becoming effective educators,” he added.

Moody’s elementary education degree program was approved by the Illinois State Board of Education in January 2024.

Moody Bible Institute was founded in 1886 by evangelist Dwight L. Moody and has 2,300 students. As a Christian institution of higher education, it “expects all employees to share and live out its biblical beliefs and values.

In the MinistryWatch 1000 Database, Moody Bible Institute earns an A Transparency Grade,  1 Star for financial efficiency, and a Donor Confidence Score of 75, meaning donors can give with confidence.

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