Summary:
Our Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond amicus brief supports the argument that St. Isidore Catholic Virtual School should be allowed to operate as a religious charter school without being treated like a government-run school. Just because the school gets government funding and follows some state rules, doesn’t mean it’s part of the government. Charter schools are meant to give parents more choices, not replace public schools, and families should have the right to pick a school that fits their religious beliefs. The brief argues that the Oklahoma Supreme Court got it wrong by saying St. Isidore is a state actor and limiting religious schools’ participation in charter programs.
The brief also argues that blocking religious charter schools is unfair and goes against recent Supreme Court rulings that protect religious freedom. It argues that Oklahoma isn’t avoiding its duty to provide public education but is simply giving families more options, including religious ones. The state’s rule that all charter schools must be non-religious is actually discrimination against religious schools and families. Therefore, the brief asks the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Oklahoma’s decision and allow religious charter schools to exist as part of the state’s education system.
Check out the full brief below to read it for yourself:
