California dad of 5 says charter school rejected books that even mentioned God: 'Publisher blacklist'

A California father of five alleges his public charter school rejected homeschooling materials that included any mention of God or faith, even when academically sound. This forced his family to purchase alternative resources out of pocket, while he believes other parents could access such materials using public funds. The family is seeking legal recourse, hoping for a Supreme Court ruling to change California’s approach to faith-based educational materials.

• John Woolard, a father of five in California, claims his public charter school rejected homeschooling curriculum that mentioned God or faith, even if academically compliant.
• He described this as a ‘publisher blacklist’ that extended to books discussing the religious beliefs of the Founding Fathers.
• When materials were rejected, Woolard’s family had to pay for alternative resources out of pocket.
• The dispute highlights concerns about equality in government-approved education and the exclusion of faith-based options.
• First Liberty Institute is representing the family, arguing the policy is discriminatory and seeking legal remedy, with the case potentially heading to the Supreme Court.
• The California Department of Education declined to comment on the pending litigation.