Is There a Place for Religious Charter Schools

Abstract

A B ST R ACT. Recently, religious groups have sought to become charter school providers. Scholarship and popular commentary dispute the desirability of this prospect. Religious charter schools can address unmet needs of religious groups and keep them invested in the public school system. But the balkanization of school districts, oppression of nonadherents, and entanglement between church and state remain important concerns. This Note argues that there is a place for religious charter schools primarily in districts best able to ameliorate these concerns those that have sufficient resources and the diversity of religious groups necessary to create a variety of religious and nonreligious school options.