Religious Charter Schools

This book explores the constitutionality of religion-based charter schools. The method of analysis useshypothetical charter schools to answer legal questions. The answers are grounded in law using the latestprecedent. The background material before examining charters sets forth both the legal and policy contextsof religious charters schools. The legal context includes a detailed analysis of the EstablishmentClause of the U.S. Constitution focusing on the most recent Supreme Court cases on that topic. The policyanalysis examines the normative and structural dimensions of charter schools which are then comparedwith voucher programs.The historical political and educational contexts of charter programs are also examined. The book concludes that charter schools present anopportunity for parents and communities to form charter schools that will accommodate their beliefs; however the constitution does notallow them to form schools that endorse their beliefs.