Abeka (known as A Beka Book until 2017) is a publisher affiliated with Pensacola Christian College (PCC) that produces K-12 curriculum materials that are used by Christian schools and homeschooling families around the world. It is named after Rebekah Horton, wife of college president Arlin Horton. By the 1980s, Abeka and BJU Press (formerly Bob Jones University Press) were the two major publishers of Christian-based educational materials in America.
Video Abeka
History
The company started in 1972 as A Beka Book. In 2017 the company rebranded as Abeka. The video program Abeka Academy is on DVD and streams on the web. Its previous logo shows a book design from the current one that was optimized.
Maps Abeka
Accreditation
Abeka's video program (Abeka Academy) and the Traditional Parent-Directed program are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) and by the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS).
Criticism
Abeka has been criticized by organizations such as the University of California and National Center for Science Education for selling works that contradict the scientific consensus regarding the origins of the universe, origins of life, and evolution. Abeka takes Biblical literalist and young Earth creationist positions in its science curriculum, teaching the Genesis creation narrative as a literal and factual account confirmed by sound natural science.
In Association of Christian Schools International v. Roman Stearns, a judge upheld the University of California's rejection of Abeka publications for preparatory use, because the books are "inconsistent with the viewpoints and knowledge generally accepted in the scientific community."
Tax status ruling
Between 1988 and 1996, A Beka Book held tax exempt status, because its profits were channeled into PCC as a tax-exempt religious organization or educational institution. In January 1995, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ruled that the college's publishing arm was liable for taxes as a profit-making entity. The IRS further ruled that since the profits of the publishing arm benefited the organization as a whole because both A Beka Book and PCC were run under the same organization and that all of the profits of A Beka Book went directly to PCC constituting 60% of the college's income. The effect of this ruling rendered the publishing company ineligible for future tax exempt status.
Although PCC was ultimately cleared of any liability for back taxes, PCC paid the estimated $44.5 million, and A Beka Book paid another $3.5 million.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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