The Liberty Justice Center submitted an amicus brief Wednesday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, advocating for parents’ rights in the case of Woolard v. Thurmond.
This case challenges California’s current stance on educational funding, emphasizing the right of families to choose instructional resources that align with their values.
In California, some charter school programs permit parents and guardians to use state funds for home education resources.
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However, these programs restrict families from using those funds to purchase materials from faith-based organizations, even if those resources meet state education standards. In response, a group of California parents filed a lawsuit in October 2023, arguing that excluding religious materials from state funding violates their First Amendment rights.
On October 30, the Liberty Justice Center joined the case by filing an amicus brief supporting the parents’ position. The brief contends that excluding religious options from these programs constitutes religious discrimination and contravenes Supreme Court rulings that protect against anti-religious bias in school-choice initiatives.
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It also emphasizes the value of homeschooling programs for students from diverse backgrounds, including low-income families, those in underperforming schools, neurodivergent students, those with special needs, victims of bullying, and children of military families.
“Families deserve the freedom to choose the best education for their children—whether that’s through public schools, homeschooling, charter schools, or other alternatives,” said Dean McGee, Senior Counsel for Educational Freedom at the Liberty Justice Center. “Discriminating against families just because they choose a religious option is a clear violation of the First Amendment. We urge the court to protect every family’s right to access educational choice without religious discrimination.”
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