Supreme Court to weigh constitutionality of nation’s first religious charter school



The Supreme Court Will Decide Whether States Can Reject Religious Charter Schools from Public Funding

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from Oklahoma involving the first religious charter school in the nation, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which had its approval for public funding rejected by the state’s top court. The school was denied funding because it “evangelizes the Catholic faith as part of its school curriculum.” The decision has implications nationwide, as it could make it easier for religious entities to apply for and receive public taxpayer money for schools.

Several groups, including the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents the school, have argued that the rejection of the school’s funding is a violation of religious freedom and that states cannot discriminate against religious schools when doling out taxpayer funding for certain programs. In contrast, groups such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State have urged the Supreme Court to affirm the state’s ruling against the school, arguing that it would “convert public schools into Sunday schools.”

The case is expected to have a significant impact on education, as it blurs the line between church and state. The Supreme Court has already begun to blur this line in a series of recent rulings, stating that states may not discriminate against religious schools when distributing taxpayer funds.

The Supreme Court will likely hear arguments in the spring and hand down a decision before July. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case without explaining why.

The case has divided conservatives, with some, such as the Oklahoma Attorney General, filing lawsuits against the school. Others, including the school’s legal team, argue that denying religious schools funding is a form of “religious hostility.” The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for religious freedom and education in the United States.

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