Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the court case of Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris concerning the allocation of public funds towards religious schooling. The paper examines the decision to allow public funds to go towards underprivileged children being educated in religious schools, contending that it would result in a greater inflow of students to such schools. The paper explains that children educated under these circumstances are not exposed to the constitutional freedom of choice in terms of religion.

From the Paper:

"The First Amendment of the Constitution dictates that all persons within the United States have the right to live their lives freely, according to their choosing, and without fear of persecution for any reason, whether on the grounds of religion, race or any other distinctive trait. The issue touched upon in the Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris case (2002) is indeed a constitutional one, but also one that is complicated and that can be viewed from either side. It appears however that the decision of the Supreme Court to allow public funds to be used for private schooling, whether religious or not, does to a certain degree defeat the inherently constitutional provision of non-discrimination and freedom of choice for all persons."

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