Supreme Court to Review California Charter School Rules
A California family challenges charter school policies that deny funding for curriculum containing religious references.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Homeschooling
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California parent John Woolard has filed a petition for Supreme Court review after the state public charter school system rejected his children's curriculum. The school policy blocked purchases containing religious references, even though the materials met state academic standards.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on how public charter school policies regarding faith-based materials impact household educational choices and out-of-pocket costs for families. The outcome may clarify the boundaries for public funding of curriculum in home-based programs.
The Woolard family is challenging a policy that denied curriculum purchases for their 5 children based on religious content. These materials were otherwise compliant with California academic standards, forcing the family to cover these educational costs out of pocket.
The players
John Woolard
A California parent of five children who is challenging state charter school policies regarding curriculum funding.
The details
Under a home-based program, the family submitted curriculum choices for official approval to be funded by their public charter school. School staff confirmed the rejection was specifically due to references to God or faith within the materials. Following the denial, the family had to purchase the necessary resources personally to continue their chosen course of study.
Timeline
October 2026: The legal dispute is formally reported.
Next few months: The Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to review the case.
The Home Front
This dispute highlights the friction between public education funding mandates and the selection of home-based curriculum materials. It sits at the intersection of state-level oversight and the rights of families using public charter programs for home-based instruction.
If you participate in a public charter school home program, review your school's specific guidance on curriculum approval and funding eligibility. Keep documentation of all rejected materials and any written communication from school staff regarding the reasons for denial.
The takeaway
The Supreme Court decision in the coming months will determine if state-funded charter programs can exclude curriculum based on religious references. For now, families should maintain clear records of all submitted and denied materials to ensure they have an accurate account of their educational expenses.
Further reading
For more insight into state educational policies, visit our Homeschooling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox News.
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Should public education funds cover curricula that include religious content?
