Tip Sheets
Catholic charter school matter ‘raises profound questions about equal access’
April 30, 2025
Media Contact
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in the matter of Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond as it considers whether the Catholic Church in Oklahoma can run the nation’s first religious charter school.
The following Cornell University experts are available to discuss the case.
Landon Schnabel
Associate Professor of Sociology
Landon Schnabel, a professor of sociology, studies religion and social change. He notes that the Supreme Court's decision will represent a critical test of the separation between church and state in public education.
Schnabel says:
“This case challenges long-established constitutional boundaries that have prevented direct government funding of explicitly religious education.
“If the Court rules in favor of the Catholic charter school, it would mark a significant departure from traditional interpretations of the Establishment Clause, potentially allowing religious organizations unprecedented access to public education dollars while maintaining their religious identity and mission.
“This raises profound questions about equal access, inclusion, and whether institutions with explicit religious missions can fulfill the public education system's commitment to serve all students regardless of faith background.”
Nelson Tebbe
Professor of Law
Nelson Tebbe, a constitutional law expert and professor at Cornell Law School, is the author of “Religious Freedom In An Egalitarian Age” (Harvard University Press, 2017), in which he examines the contemporary conflict between free exercise and equality law. He can speak to the questions asked by the justices as well as potential outcome and impact.
