The ACLU has reached a settlement with the state of Minnesota in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the controversial TiZA charter school. The claim, filed 2 years ago, will continue against the Arabic language and culture-focused academy, which plaintiffs charge with improperly promoting Islam.
While terms of the agreement are not yet public, the Star-Tribune reports that the state has agreed to tighten its approval process for charter schools.
The settlement requires state officials to ensure "that what happened in this case won't be repeated," he said. Under the deal, the state will require charter school officials to fill out a questionnaire intended to uncover possible ties between the schools or their lessons and religion, he said.
TiZA is just one of many charter schools across the country centered around a particular culture. If states are going to empower private entities to administer public education, the constitutional principles guarding the religious liberties of all students should be rigorously protected.
An honest question: do most states require potential charter school administrators to receive some training or certification in the First Amendment as it relates to public school settings?
