Supreme Court upholds ban on religious charter schools funding

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a decision by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in a 4-4 ruling concerning two cases: Oklahoma Charter School Board v. Drummond and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond. The ruling affirms that authorizing religious charter schools is in violation of the Oklahoma state constitution, the state charter school statute, and the U.S. Constitution.

The National Education Association (NEA) was among a coalition of education groups that filed an amicus brief in support of this decision and participated in oral arguments.

"Educators and parents know that student success depends on more resources in our public schools, not less," said NEA President Becky Pringle. "We are gratified that the Supreme Court did not take the radical step of upending public education by requiring states to have religious charter schools."

Cari Elledge, president of the Oklahoma Education Association and a fifth-grade teacher, expressed concern over potential funding implications had the decision gone differently. "Requiring Oklahoma to fund religious doctrine in charter school programs would have diminished funding for classroom resources, educator salaries, and other supports our students need," she stated.

Pringle further emphasized that public opinion has consistently opposed diverting funds from public schools where 90% of students are educated: "Americans have consistently rejected taking public funds away from our public schools—where 90% of our students attend—and today, the Supreme Court agreed."

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The National Education Association represents over three million professionals across various educational roles in the United States.