Judge Strikes Down Minnesota Law Affecting Religious Schools

A judge appointed by Trump has reversed a Minnesota law that barred religious institutions from participating in the state’s high school dual enrollment program if they demanded students adhere to their faith statements.

The state law, updated in 2023, established criteria for schools in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program, which included disqualifying religious schools that required such adherence. The judge ruled that this amendment violated the First Amendment by inhibiting free religious exercise for both schools and families.

According to the judge, if a school’s participation in PSEO hinged on a faith statement as a prerequisite, then it undermined the ability of like-minded communities to exist. He added that families choosing religious schools shouldn’t be denied public benefits like PSEO reimbursements based on their religious affiliations.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) did not comment on the ruling when approached.

Plaintiffs, including several families and religious universities from Minnesota, claimed that the requirements impeded their freedom by compelling them to choose between participating in PSEO and adhering to their religious beliefs.

The ruling also highlighted that these religious institutions had previously received millions from the state via the PSEO program and had a substantial number of applicants benefiting from it. The court noted that the faith statement restrictions appeared to be a way for schools to prioritize applicants who shared their religious beliefs.