It seems to me that the decision of the 6th Circuit in Settle v. Dickson County School should apply in some form here — there is no free speech or religious right to avoid doing the work assigned or required. (http://laws.findlaw.com/6th/950141p.html)

Jehovah Witnesses may not be required to salute the flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance. But if they apply to college, they may not claim a religious exemption from knowing the history of the United States. Same principle in California: If the kids want to go to UC, they need to meet the academic standards. They are not required to evolve, ony to know what the science is.

I suspect that the English courses are similar: It’s not good enough that there is other material, or even more material, provided in the course they took; they didn’t study the required stuff. They have a free speech right to not study it, but they do not have a free speech right to claim a merit badge for work they didn’t do.

47. The rejection of “Christianity and Morality in American Literature” as an
English course (July 28, 2005) was for four stated reasons: “this course . . . does not
offer a non-biased approach to the subject matter”; “Textbook is not appropriate”;
“Lacking necessary course information” (evidently that “[o]utline is vague and lacks
detail,” and “[t]here is not [sic] activities or assignments that tie to the supplemental
reading”); and “Insufficient academic/theoritical [sic] content.” The course was also
rejected as an elective, which routinely is granted if there is a rejection as an English
course The rejection was on office of the President letterhead, and the cover letter was
signed by defendant Wilbur, with the cover e-mail saying that “UC has completed the
review of your school’s 2004-05 a-g course list update.” Exhibit 7.