The Christian Coalition of New York recently mailed a survey to candidates appearing on the ballot for school board elections on May 7 in New York. The questionnaire offers three possible responses: support, oppose, or undecided.

Freedom Writer Magazine interviewed Jeff Baran, executive director of Christian Coalition of New York, about the questionnaire. Although Baran avoided revealing the "correct" answer to the questions, he agreed that in most cases the conservative Christian would back the candidates who chose "support." However, there were two possible exceptions.

The first is Question 10, which reads, "Keeping children in bilingual classes for longer than the three year maximum." This question, Baran said, was suggested by people in New York City, where children "are not being taught English early enough." He said they "languish in their home language too long." They need to learn English sooner "so they can assimilate." Baran refused to reveal who in New York suggested this question, but said that they oppose keeping children in bilingual classes any longer than three years.

The second question where the desired response is "oppose," is Question 19. It reads, "Students being taught about alternative lifestyles including homosexual relationships, extramarital and premarital relationships."

The questions generally reflect a lack of confidence in school board members. Rather than allow school board members to do the job they are elected to do, the Christian Coalition apparently is willing to override the system by allowing parents to have the final say on every issue.

Here are the questions (to be answered "support," "oppose," or "undecided"):

• Parents' right to inspect the instructional materials and methods.
• Informing parents of all curriculum changes, in writing, prior to the changes being implemented.
• Parental notification and approval prior to psychologically evaluating, testing, or treating students.
• Parental consent be required before students are instructed on issues relating to human sexuality, including discussions on alternative lifestyles.
• Parental consent be required before students can receive information and/or care from school-based health clinics.
• Stressing basic academic skills (reading, writing, arithmetic) over more socially oriented curriculum (situational ethics, self-esteem, alternative lifestyles).
• Curriculum that emphasizes American culture while respecting individual ethnic, religious and national heritage.
• A moment of silence be afforded for voluntary prayer in the schools.
• The only purpose of school-based health clinics should be basic health care and not a as dispensary for contraceptive devices and information and abortion referrals.
• Keeping children in bilingual classes for longer than the three year maximum.
• Students classified with marginal special education needs (i.e. Attention Deficiency Syndrome, ADS [sic]) be placed in regular classes and supported with extra help.
• Give teachers the authority to immediately remove disciplinary problem students from class.
• Requiring local school districts to submit to an independent audit with results being reported to the public.
• Board of Education to more aggressively use its authority to suspend or fine teachers and administrators who have been involved in physical and sexual abuse or misconduct involving students (including possession of child pornography).
• Introduction of a school choice program within the public school system.
• Setting of higher standards and expectations for academic achievement.
• Teaching abstinence as the only effective method to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
• Primary emphasis on abstinence as the most effective method to avoid pregnancy.
• Students being taught about alternative lifestyles including homosexual relationships, extramarital and premarital relationships.