Church & State

"In God We Trust" is seen on a wall at South Park Elementary in Rapid City, S.D., on July 23, 2019. South Dakota is one of 17 states that requires or allows the motto to be displayed inside K-12 public schools.
"In God We Trust" is seen on a wall at South Park Elementary in Rapid City, S.D., on July 23, 2019. South Dakota is one of 17 states that require or allow the motto to be displayed inside public schools.
Adam Fondren/Rapid City Journal via AP
States Louisiana’s Public Schools Must Now Display ‘In God We Trust’ in Classrooms
Mandates like Louisiana's are relatively common, and they are also controversial.
Sarah Schwartz, August 3, 2023
•
5 min read
Illustration of an online teacher working with four students.
Olivia_art/iStock/Getty
Law & Courts Lawsuit Challenges First Religious Charter School in Oklahoma
The suit argues that the Catholic virtual school violates a state constitutional requirement that public schools not be "sectarian."
Mark Walsh, July 31, 2023
•
4 min read
The Supreme Court on Wednesday afternoon, April 19, 2023, in Washington.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday afternoon, April 19, 2023, in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Law & Courts Supreme Court Declines to Hear Closely Watched Case on Charter Schools
The justices won't consider whether charter schools are "state actors," which has implications for the push for religious charter schools.
Mark Walsh, June 26, 2023
•
5 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
School Choice & Charters Opinion Oklahoma Has Approved the Nation's First Religious Charter School. What's That Mean?
A charter authorizer has endorsed a statewide virtual school, which will be run by a Roman Catholic archdiocese and diocese.
Rick Hess, June 7, 2023
•
9 min read
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond speaks during an interview, Feb. 1, 2023, in Oklahoma City. The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, a state school board in Oklahoma, voted Monday, June 5, to approve what would be the first publicly funded religious school in the nation, despite a warning from the state's attorney general that the decision was unconstitutional. Drummond had previously warned the board that such a decision clearly violated the Oklahoma Constitution.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond speaks during an interview, Feb. 1, 2023, in Oklahoma City. The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, a state school board in Oklahoma, voted Monday, June 5, to approve what would be the first publicly funded religious charter school in the nation, despite Drummond previously warning the board that such a decision violates the Oklahoma Constitution.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
School Choice & Charters Approval of Nation's 1st Religious Charter School Will Spark Legal Battle
A state board voted 3-2 to approve the St. Isidore Catholic Virtual Academy, which will aim to open in fall 2024, pending a court battle.
Mark Walsh, June 6, 2023
•
5 min read
This June 1, 2021, file photo shows the State Capitol in Austin, Texas.
This June 1, 2021, file photo shows the State Capitol in Austin, Texas.
Eric Gay/AP
Student Well-Being Chaplains Could Work as School Counselors Under Bill Passed in Texas
Critics see the measure as a continuation of the erosion of the concept of separating church from state.
Elizabeth Heubeck, May 25, 2023
•
3 min read
Photo of girl using laptop computer at home.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
School Choice & Charters Nation's First Religious Charter School Denied, For Now
The action by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board buys some time to consider the implications, including for the members themselves.
Mark Walsh, April 12, 2023
•
5 min read
Scales of justice and Gavel on wooden table and Lawyer or Judge working with agreement in Courtroom, Justice and Law concept.
Pattanaphong Khuankaew/iStock
Law & Courts Court Backs Firing of Teacher Who Refused to Use Transgender Students’ Names
The appellate court said a teacher seeking a religious accommodation under Title VII caused undue hardship for a school district.
Mark Walsh, April 10, 2023
•
6 min read
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is pictured Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, during an interview in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond withdrew his predecessor's opinion that had fueled hopes the state might approve religious charter schools.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
School Choice & Charters A Major Reversal on Religious Charter Schools in Oklahoma
The attorney general withdrew his predecessor's opinion that religious groups could not be excluded from the state charter school program.
Mark Walsh, February 24, 2023
•
4 min read
Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor speaks during a bill signing ceremony for a bill making it a felony to perform an abortion, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Oklahoma City.
Then-Oklahoma Attorney General John M. O'Connor, shown last year in Oklahoma City, issued an advisory opinion last December that bolstered the prospects of charter schools sponsored by religious institutions.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
School Choice & Charters A Proposed Catholic Charter School Is New Test for Religion and Public Education
With a favorable state attorney general's opinion in hand, Catholic officials are set to ask for approval of the first religious charter.
Mark Walsh, February 9, 2023
•
10 min read
Image of columns.
E+
Law & Courts The 8 Most Consequential Developments in Education Law in 2022
The list includes major decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, a transition on the high court, and several lower court decisions.
Mark Walsh, December 22, 2022
•
6 min read
Photo of calendar with holidays marked.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
School & District Management Celebrating Holidays at School: Legal Guidance for Administrators
Tips to help keep celebrations inclusive and immune from lawsuits.
Elizabeth Heubeck, December 13, 2022
•
4 min read
Shomari Jones, Director of Equity and Strategic Engagement for the Bellevue School District, at his office on Monday, May 23, 2022, in Bellevue, Wash.
Shomari Jones, director of equity and strategic engagement for the Bellevue, Wash., school district, explains why he thinks schools should teach about all religious beliefs.
Jovelle Tamayo for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Q&A Talking About Religion Is Hard. This District Leader Says Schools Should Do It Anyway
The Bellevue, Wash., district leader emphasizes that students need to be prepared to navigate a multicultural world.
Alyson Klein, December 12, 2022
•
6 min read
Southlake parent Sravan Krishna attempted to donate "In God We Trust" posters during an Aug. 29, 2022, school board meeting.
Southlake parent Sravan Krishna attempted to donate "In God We Trust" posters during an Aug. 29, 2022, school board meeting.
Carroll Independent School District via TNS
Equity & Diversity Texas School District Rejects ‘In God We Trust’ Signs Featuring Rainbows, Arabic
Under a new law, Texas public schools are required to hang posters emblazoned with “In God We Trust” if someone donates a poster.
Talia Richman, The Dallas Morning News, August 30, 2022
•
2 min read
Load More ▼