The Public School Choice Debate

Paper Summary:

The paper uses the well known Zelman vs Simmons-Harris case to discuss the ways this case changed the public school choice debate.
The paper discusses the separation of church and state and the severing of the link between religion and public education. The paper looks at public education alternatives, such as charter schools, magnet schools and home schools and the reasons behind the implementation of a school voucher program. The paper reveals that the nation viewed the Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris case as the test to try the legal boundary between church and state. The paper provides a literature review on the details and ruling of this case.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review

From the Paper:

"For many years, public schools have abided by the separation of church and state that has been held as a measurement of truth in government since the public school system began. Generational changes have taken place with each passing lifetime that have continued to move schools away from any hint of religious belief or preference."
"Whereas years ago students were taught to read and write using bible verses, and their school singing lessons came in the form of church hymns, those elements of public school were systematically removed until the nation was left with the system it has today, which for all intents and purposes there is no link between religion and public education."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Text of U.S. Supreme Court decision: Zelman, superintendent of Public Instruction of Ohio, et al. v. Simmons-Harris et al. (Features). Journal of Church and State | Date: June 22, 2002 | More results for: Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris No. 00-1751 536 U.S.--(2002) Argued February 20, 2002 Decided June 27, 2002
• Vouchers on trail: will the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Zelman end the voucher debate? (Feature).(Statistical Data Included) Education Next | Date: June 22, 2002 | Author: Viteritti, Joseph P. | More results for: Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris
• Zelman: the court gets it right. (Opinion).(school voucher case) First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life | Date: January 1, 2003 | Author: Uhlmann, Michael M. | More results for: Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris
• The journey from Brown v. Board of Education to Grutter v. Bollinger: from racial assimilation to diversity. Michigan Law Review | Date: March 1, 2004 | Author: Edwards, Harry T. | More results for: Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris
• Private voucher schools and the First Amendment right to discriminate.(Case Note) Yale Law Journal | Date: December 1, 2003 | Author: Kavey, Michael | More results for: Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris

More papers on The Public School Choice Debate:

• Essay # 28315 : "School Choice"
• Research Paper # 9368 : "The Philosophy of Education"
• Persuasive Essay # 120336 : "Religion in the Public School System"

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