The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments today in a high-stakes education case that could redefine the boundaries of religious involvement in public education. At the center of the debate is a Catholic virtual charter school seeking to become the country’s first religious charter school. The Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down the school’s contract, prompting a legal battle over constitutional rights and the future of charter education.

The Oklahoma charter school board contends that the state’s move violates the Constitution by discriminating against religion. In contrast, the state attorney general argues that allowing a religious charter school violates the separation of church and state.

Neal McCluskey, director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Educational Freedom, has weighed in on the case. He wrote, “This is a rock-and-a-hard-place situation for the Supreme Court: Rule against St. Isidore, and discrimination against religion wins. Rule for it, and dangerous government entanglement will ensue.”

He added, “Thankfully, there is a solution to both the discrimination and entanglement problems, and it can be seen in the precedents: money following children to private choices. If money follows kids to truly private schools that families choose, the government has no role at all in the decision and is therefore truly neutral.”

To speak with McCluskey, please contact mmiller@​cato.​org.