#BREAKING : We at @BECKETlaw just asked the federal courts to stop the State of California from discriminating against Jewish children with disabilities and Jewish schools by denying them education benefits. Our complaint:

Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to ensure that all children with disabilities could receive a free and appropriate education that meets their unique needs.

IDEA funding provides a free and appropriate public education in public schools, but such funding can be used in private schools where they can provide the education best suited to the individual child.

But the State of California blocks special education funding from being disbursed to religious private schools, including Orthodox Jewish schools. Now three Jewish families and two Orthodox Jewish schools are suing the State. #CALeg #CApol #CAedu

This court challenge aims to make sure that religious parents, their children with disabilities, and religious schools are treated equally under the law, a result that nearly 60% of Californians would like to see, according to a recent poll.

And not only does California’s law do a great injustice to Jewish kids with disabilities—it is also flatly unconstitutional.

A long line of Supreme Court cases requires equal access to benefits programs for religious people and institutions. In fact, just last year #SCOTUS ruled against a Maine law that excluded religious schools.

Maine now has to provide equal access to education funding for ALL private schools, religious or not.

California politicians are making it harder for Jewish families and children with disabilities. Parents should be able to send their children to a school that provides the right combination of curriculum and disability support. Our Constitution demands no less.