Courts have been reluctant to fully embrace free exercise or equal protection claims of school choice advocates, but recent rulings may have permanently reversed that trend, potentially compelling governments to provide substantially more resources to parochial schools than ever before. The first section of this article summarizes the origin of…

The article examines the trends in private school growth and enrollments, and the concerns of private school supporters as well as those of public school boards. A review of selected literature is given and the legal status and the financing of private schools are briefly described. (Author/NQA)

Reviews the Supreme Court's decisions regarding aid to students in religious schools. Reveals two distinct constitutionality theories as basis for the decisions. Regarding the constitutionality of voucher programs, the decisive issue is "how," not "what," public aid is directed to religious institutions. (MMU)

The Packwood/Moynihan/Roth Tuition Tax Relief Act of 1981 and the nearly 20 other tuition tax credit bills introduced since the beginning of the current session of Congress are intended to provide tax credits for a portion of the tuition paid for private education. Two major studies attempting to determine the impacts of passage of a tuition tax…

Examines the current status of private schools in the United States. The author finds that those schools represent widely divergent philosophies and situations, but all strongly defend their privacy. Discusses the deepening division between government and private education, and the overall good financial health of private education. (CT)

The issue of the separation of church and state is explored, and compromises are offered to provide free exercise of religion without violating the Constitution. Suggested compromises include: (1) a moment of silence; (2) released time programs; (3) comparative religion classes; and (4) the use of the Bible in history and literature classes. (JN)

California voters rejected Proposition 174, the "Parental Choice in Education" initiative, by a margin of seven to three. Estimated cost of the campaign, a week before the election, was $20.l million. Despite the defeat, Americans for School Choice, a national organization, has announced plans to launch voucher proposals in 25 states by…

An examination of the constitutionality of education vouchers is presented in this paper. It discusses Minnesota's relevant constitutional provisions, constitutional challenges to education vouchers in other states, and federal constitutional provisions that are implicated in these discussions. In Minnesota, various challenges have been raised…

This paper analyzes current court cases that address the relationships among church, state, and education, describing how government and religion have been intertwined through most of history. With the rise of democracies, however, and the recognition of abuses perpetrated by religio-government alliances, the separation of church and state became…

Recent changes in the age and race composition of the population and in educational governance indicate that the public will be more receptive to educational vouchers. These changes, points of agreement and disagreement, and the history of educational vouchers are described. (CJ)

Vouchers' constitutionality was given new life by "Agostini vs. Felton," in which the U.S. Supreme Court reversed an earlier decision banning onsite delivery of Title I services in sectarian schools. "Agostini" may signal a new era favoring increased aid to religiously affiliated schools, such as those participating in…

Discusses (1) the history of state financial aid to independent colleges and universities; (2) constitutional issues affecting such aid; and (3) several types of aid programs in existence, particularly nonneed-based tuition grants. Speculates on the future of such aid. (MCG)

This chapter deals with 1981 cases involving the financial support of schools. According to the author, challenges to the constitutionality of state supported programs continued, as did litigation dealing with the funding of programs for children with special needs and with the requirements and enforcement of federal regulations. An increase in…

The first words of the first of the rights guaranteed to Americans in the Bill of Rights are, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Despite the obvious general intent of these words, doubts remain about specific applications of the law. The permissible relationship…

Examines the roles and responsibilities of public schools in providing services to children with disabilities placed in private and parochial schools within the legal parameters of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Availability and nature of services, location of service delivery, and relevant court cases are discussed. (Author/CR)