Supreme Court Considers Approval of State-Funded Religious Schools
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating on a landmark case that could pave the way for the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school. The case centers on the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in Oklahoma, a proposed online institution offering religious education from kindergarten through high school. The Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa have initiated this endeavor, which has garnered support from Oklahoma’s Republican leadership, including Governor Kevin Stitt and Superintendent Ryan Walters. However, the state’s Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, opposes the plan, arguing it violates the First Amendment’s establishment clause by constituting a state-funded religious entity. (reuters.com)
The Oklahoma Supreme Court previously blocked the establishment of the school, citing constitutional concerns. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appears inclined to overturn this decision, with four justices expressing support for the school based on religious freedom principles. Three liberal justices have raised concerns about potential church-state entanglement. Chief Justice John Roberts’ vote is considered pivotal; if he sides with the conservatives, it could set a precedent for public funding of religious charter schools. Justice Amy Coney Barrett has recused herself from the case, leaving eight justices to decide the outcome. (apnews.com)
This case is part of a broader national debate over the separation of church and state in public education. Recent Supreme Court decisions have increasingly favored religious institutions’ access to public funds. In 2020, the Court ruled that Montana’s tax incentive program must include religious schools, and in 2022, it determined that Maine could not exclude religious schools from its tuition assistance program. (washingtonpost.com, washingtonpost.com) These rulings have prompted discussions about the future of religious education in the public sphere.
The Supreme Court’s decision in this case is expected by the end of June and could significantly impact the landscape of public education in the United States.
Supreme Court Considers Public Funding for Religious Schools:
- Roberts might hold key Supreme Court vote over first publicly funded religious charter school
- US Supreme Court mulls legality of milestone religious charter school
- Can public money flow to Catholic charter school? The Supreme Court will decide
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