Religious school advocates in New York say a recent Supreme Court ruling has provided them with a boost in their push to secure taxpayer-funded tuition assistance for students.

In a 6-3 opinion last week, the nation’s highest court said that the state of Maine cannot exclude religious schools from a tuition aid program.

“It’s an amazing next step,” said Dan Mitzner, who serves as director of government affairs for the Teach Coalition, a project of the Orthodox Union. His organization advocates for funding for non-public schools, including yeshivas.

“Our coalition partners are surely excited about what this means on a legal basis,” he said. “They have to treat religious institutions on a neutral ground.”

New York Catholic school leaders are celebrating, too. They believe the high court’s ruling gives them new ammunition to lobby leaders in Albany for financial help for families that opt to send their kids to their schools.

“New York lawmakers, by establishing the charter schools, allow taxpayer dollars to follow those kids to the school that those parents select,” said James Cultrara, director for education of the New York State Catholic Conference. “But it has yet to be extended to the parents who choose a religious instruction.”

The Supreme Court’s decision is not without criticism. The three liberal justices, who dissented, argued the ruling further dismantles the separation of church and state.

A New York State Education Department official indicated they are reviewing the court’s decision. The official noted that New York law already allows non-public schools to receive aid to pay for textbooks, transportation and other mandated services.

Missing though, religious school advocates say, is direct financial support for parents. Expect them to increase their push.

“We hope that we'll be able to convince lawmakers instead of having to litigate,” Cultrara said.