Liberty Justice Center Challenged California School Policy

The legal group asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a state ban on faith-based curriculum in public charter homeschooling.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Homeschooling

Isometric editorial illustration of a school desk and ruler, representing the structural policy debate over educational curriculum funding. — The Liberty Justice Center has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge California's policy that limits state-funded public charter homeschooling to secular curriculum. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should public funds be allowed to support religious curriculum in state-funded charter homeschooling programs?

The Liberty Justice Center has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down a California policy that restricts public funding for faith-based educational materials in charter-supported homeschool programs. This filing follows a Ninth Circuit court ruling that upheld the state ban, which limits public charter independent-study options to secular curriculum.

Why it matters

The case questions whether states can constitutionally exclude families from public education benefits when those families seek to utilize religious curriculum for independent study. Proponents of the policy argue the restriction is necessary because the framework functions as tuition-free public education that must remain secular.

California charter programs currently serve hundreds of thousands of students through state-funded independent-study networks. Surveys indicate that over half of all home-educating parents cite religious instruction as a primary factor in their decision to homeschool.

The players

Liberty Justice Center

This is a public interest law firm that focuses on defending fundamental rights and constitutional liberties in courtrooms across the nation.

U.S. Supreme Court

This is the highest federal court in the United States, responsible for interpreting the Constitution and deciding cases of national importance.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

This is the federal appellate court that maintains jurisdiction over California and several other western states.

The details

The lawsuit, titled Woolard v. Thurmond, was initiated in October 2023 by families including the Woolards, Gonzaleses, and Dodsons. They argue the state violates religious freedom by permitting funding for secular materials while explicitly prohibiting content published by religious organizations.

October 2023: Families first challenged the state policy in federal court.
November 2025: The Ninth Circuit declined to grant a rehearing in the case.
September 24, 2026: The Liberty Justice Center filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.
Coming months: The Supreme Court will decide whether to grant a hearing.

Culture Shift

This case follows a pattern established by the Supreme Court ruling in Carson v. Makin, which examined the intersection of public funding and religious education. It marks a significant escalation in the ongoing legal debate over the extent to which states must accommodate religious viewpoints in government-funded programs.

Families enrolled in public charter independent-study programs in California may see changes to their available curriculum options depending on the eventual Supreme Court ruling. The decision will determine whether state-funded educational allotments can legally cover materials published by religious organizations.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing intersection between state-funded independent study and parental choice regarding religious education. Families currently navigating these programs should monitor high court updates to understand how potential changes could impact their future curriculum access.