We showed up at the Supreme Court for school choice
The Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a case that could expand educational freedom to millions of Americans.
Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments for Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond.
And Americans for Prosperity’s sister organization, Americans for Prosperity Foundation, was there to defend educational freedom across the country.
John Tidwell, state director for AFPF-Oklahoma, and dozens of committed activists rallied outside the courthouse steps to send a simple message:
The government shouldn’t place limits on educational freedom.
WHAT’S THE CASE ABOUT, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
In 2023, the Oklahoma attorney general filed a lawsuit against the state’s Virtual Charter School Board, trying to block a contract between the state and St. Isidore (a Catholic charter school) and arguing that a religious school can’t operate as a public charter school. He won the case in the lower courts, but it was appealed all the way up to the Supreme Court.
The AG’s lawsuit is a step in the wrong direction. It threatens thousands of families that rely on flexible, innovative school options, and it undermines educational freedom.
That’s why AFPF signed onto an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court in defense of St. Isidore and the freedom of Oklahoma parents.
It’s time to move beyond a one-size-fits-all system tied to your ZIP code and put families in control. Educational freedom means giving every parent the power to choose what’s best for their child.
Parents are rallying for school choice policies like education savings accounts, which give families direct control over their child’s education funding.
Just last week, Texas became the 19th state to pass ESA legislation — a huge step forward.
But a loss in this Supreme Court case could undercut that momentum and embolden those trying to keep families locked into the same old failed system.
BOOTS ON THE GROUND FOR EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM
As the court sat for arguments in the case, John stood right on the court steps, rallying support for families who just want what’s best for their kids.
“Parents are the primary educators of their children. They know their children’s needs, strengths, and dreams better than anyone else. This isn’t a radical idea; it’s a reaffirmation of the freedoms we hold,” John said before the steps.
But the movement doesn’t stop in Washington, D.C.
While AFPF is making waves in the capital, AFP is mobilizing our massive grassroots army to push for laws that put students and families in the driver’s seat of K-12 education.
AFP’s unparalleled grassroots power and years of experience are a powerful engine for change in the country.
PROOF IT WORKS: HOW AFP LED CHANGE IN TEXAS
Year after year, ESA proposals failed in the Texas state legislature due to the political power of educational freedom opponents.
However, at AFP, we never gave up. We doubled down and launched a historic campaign to get universal ESA legislation to the governor’s desk by:
- Helping aligned lawmakers win 22 legislative races to make sure we had a chance to pass an ESA bill.
- Knocking thousands of doors, making thousands of calls, and marshalling our grassroots army to make sure Texans knew what was at stake.
- Bringing hundreds of parents and concerned citizens to the capitol so lawmakers could hear directly from them about how educational freedom would help their families.
And Texas is just the beginning.
We’re riding the wave of educational freedom and pushing for policies that will give more freedom to parents and families in states like Mississippi, Montana, South Dakota, and Virginia.
The momentum for school choice is growing strong. But we need you to make it even stronger.
Be part of the movement that’s changing the lives of millions of Americans.
Join AFP and let’s fight for every student.
