The executive order was among several the president signed meant to steer American schools and universities to adopt Republican priorities, such as restricting how schools discuss racism and gender issues.

The proposal to create the nation’s first religious charter school paid for by taxpayer funds could move the line between church and state in education.

The dispute, which some critics say tests the church’s autonomy, heads to the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday.

In a deal with Islamist parties, Pakistan is abandoning a requirement that religious seminaries, long seen by Western officials as a potential threat, register with the government.