Buckeye Reporter

On November 7, 2024, The Buckeye Institute submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in two cases: Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond. The organization is urging the court to hear these cases and confirm that religious schools should not be excluded from generally available programs.

David C. Tryon, director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute, stated, "One thing, at least, is undisputed—children in Oklahoma, and across the nation, deserve a high-quality education to prepare them for college and real life." He criticized the decision by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma as discriminatory against educational programs designed to expand options for children and parents.

The brief argues that entrenched special interests are attempting to restrict educational opportunities traditionally available only to affluent groups. It references a pivotal moment in Ohio's school choice debate when Democratic Cleveland City Councilwoman Fannie Lewis collaborated with The Buckeye Institute to host the Summit on Vouchers in 1994. This event gathered hundreds of parents concerned about their children's education in failing public schools in Cleveland. Inspired by Polly Williams, a Milwaukee legislator advocating for school choice in Wisconsin, these parents lobbied their representatives in Columbus for change. Their efforts contributed to passing the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program with Republican support.

The Alliance Defending Freedom represents the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board in this case.