Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules Against Nation's First Publicly Funded Religious Charter School

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the establishment of the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville, is unconstitutional, citing violations of both state and federal laws mandating that public schools be nonsectarian. The court's decision, supported by a majority of justices, stated that funding a religious school would contravene the Establishment Clause by effectively sponsoring religion, a move opposed by Attorney General Gentner Drummond and various advocacy groups. This ruling leaves hundreds of families scrambling for alternative schooling options and is expected to be appealed, potentially reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. Advocates for St. Isidore argue that recent Supreme Court decisions support the use of public funds for religious entities, while opponents stress the importance of maintaining a separation between church and state. In Texas, the State Board of Education is considering the approval of five new charter schools, a move criticized by public education advocates for potentially diverting funds from traditional school districts.