Supreme Court seems likely to favor Catholic schools in pre-K fight

The Supreme Court appears poised to let Catholic preschools join Colorado's universal preschool program without following a state rule that bars discrimination in admissions. In oral argument lasting two hours, the conservative majority signaled sympathy for the schools. A ruling for them would extend a run of decisions in which the 6-3 conservative court has backed religious institutions shut out of state benefit programs, potentially sending more public money to religious schools, according to CBS News.

The Archdiocese of Denver, which oversees 34 Catholic preschools, asked for an exemption because it admits only families whose lives fit church teachings. Colorado refused, and lower courts agreed with the state. Justice Amy Coney Barrett pressed Colorado Deputy Solicitor General Helen Norton on how the condition differs from an outright ban on Catholic schools. Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that more than 2,000 preschools take part, so families have many alternatives. Norton answered that religious schools are welcome and may teach their views on sex, gender and marriage.

The three liberal justices, including Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, objected that the schools want special treatment. Nicholas Reaves, representing the Archdiocese, contended that Colorado penalizes the schools for their religious practice.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CBS News’s reporting. Read the full story at CBS News →