U.S. Supreme Court has whether Oklahoma can open St. Isidore: an online named after . If affirmed, the school would be the nation鈥檚 first faith-based charter, a sea change in education law, expanding the boundaries of government aid to faith-based schools.
On Jan. 24, 2025, the justices agreed to hear two consolidated cases: and . Gentner Drummond, the state鈥檚 attorney general, to block the school鈥檚 contract. In Oklahoma鈥檚 courts, Drummond argued that St. Isidore鈥檚 creation would violate state statutes, Oklahoma鈥檚 Constitution and the U.S. Constitution 鈥� and the agreed with the attorney general.
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