AFT President Weingarten Speaks on Supreme Court Charter School Case

Supreme Court to Hear Case on Public Funding for Religious Charter School

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a case concerning whether a Catholic virtual charter school in Oklahoma is eligible to receive public funding. The decision to hear this case has sparked a response from Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Weingarten expressed concerns about the implications of the case, stating, "We cannot allow public schools to become Sunday schools. Parents and families support their neighborhood public schools—including charter schools—because they are dedicated to helping all kids learn and thrive." She warned that allocating public funds to private religious institutions could jeopardize the secular nature and accessibility of public schools, as well as broader religious liberties.

She further emphasized the potential consequences of the Supreme Court's decision, noting, "We are hopeful the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold the decision of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, which correctly sided with religious pluralism over the forces of extremism and sectarianism. Its reversal would drive a dagger into the very idea of public education and strike at the heart of our nation’s democratic foundations."

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is a union representing 1.8 million members, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state, and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.