Story perspectives

Supreme Court to Hear Catholic Preschool Challenge; Trump Backs

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by Catholic preschools in Colorado challenging the state’s nondiscrimination rule for its universal preschool program.
Colorado’s program funds 15 hours weekly for every 4-year-old, has enrolled 1.8 million children (37 % of the age group), and cost $14.4 billion, a spending record.
U.S. President Donald Trump filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the Court to side with the Catholic schools, claiming the rule violates the Free Exercise Clause.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. Supreme Court's 1990 ruling in Employment Division v. Smith narrowed the interpretation of the Free Exercise Clause, allowing states to impose regulations without accommodating religious practices. This decision followed a history of expanding protections for religious freedom, notably in cases like Sherbert v. Verner (1963). The current appeal by Colorado's Catholic preschools could redefine the balance between state funding and religious freedom in education.

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Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by Catholic preschools in Colorado challenging the state’s nondiscrimination rule for its universal preschool program.
Colorado’s program funds 15 hours weekly for every 4-year-old, has enrolled 1.8 million children (37 % of the age group), and cost $14.4 billion, a spending record.
U.S. President Donald Trump filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the Court to side with the Catholic schools, claiming the rule violates the Free Exercise Clause.

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