Push to create religious school in Oklahoma threatened WA charters | Opinion

This time of year, the smiling faces of graduates in caps and gowns remind us that students across our country represent a vast diversity of backgrounds and dreams. For those who attend public schools, their promise is rooted in an unwavering commitment to a tuition-free, non-sectarian education. This guarantee means their civil rights are rigorously protected, that teachers are subject to certification standards,and that a public education is available for all.

Unfortunately, not everyone holds that promise sacred.

Recently, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) preserved that promise by upholding a lower court ruling in Oklahoma that blocked the creation of the country’s first religious public charter school. For public education advocates across the country, this was a sigh of relief, for now.

But this case was never just about one school in one state. It was a broader test of our nation’s commitment to public education. And it’s a call to action. The opportunity — and the responsibility — to strengthen public education for students, families, school leaders and policymakers is squarely in front of us. We must not let up in our pursuit of excellent public schools for all.

The public nature of charter public schools was central to this SCOTUS case, but the consequences of an unfavorable ruling would have extended far beyond the charter public school sector, threatening the foundation of all public schools.

In Washington, voters established the charter public school sector in 2012 as an additional public school option for students across the state. By law, charter public schools are part of a public education system that relies on state funding, and are free, open to all, non-sectarian and part of a multi-level system of accountability that includes the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Auditor, the Washington Charter School Commission and a board of directors.

Any federal decision that undermines state law could jeopardize these schools, despite the fact that, for many families, their charter public school is the best educational fit for their child.

The case was part of a broader effort to blur lines between public and private education. Had it succeeded, this case would have set a precedent. It would have allowed the establishment of a religious school funded by taxpayer dollars, draining critical resources from non-sectarian public schools. Proponents of the case largely came from outside of the charter public school community. It was driven by individuals seeking to remake public education in the image of private and religious institutions.

This ruling reaffirmed charter public schools are public schools and like all public schools, must remain non-sectarian and accountable to the public.

Charter public schools represent a very small part of the larger public school system in Washington. Public education advocates must push back on proposals that seek to leverage public resources to prioritize sectarian interests and undermine the civil rights of students. We must work collectively to restore trust in public schools and attempts to undermine public education one lawsuit at a time.

While this decision is a brief reprieve, we continue to stand alongside public school leaders in the next fight for the families and communities we serve. A true public education cannot be reserved just for those who can afford it, pass an entrance exam or practice a particular faith. As public school advocates, we must be relentless in our commitment to ensuring that every student, no matter their background, has access to a high-quality education that prepares students not just for today but the future they deserve.