Zelman v. Simmons-Harris
Brief

Citation536 U.S. 639 (2002) Brief Fact Summary. The State of Ohio established a pilot program to provide educational choices to families with children living in Cleveland School District, mainly targeting low-income children. The program was challenged for violation of the Establishment Clause.     Synopsis of Rule of Law. Where a government aid program is neutral with respect to religion, and provides assistance directly to a broad class of citizens who, in turn, direct government aid to religious schools wholly as a result of their own genuine and ...

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris
Brief

Citation. 536 U.S. 639, 122 S.Ct. 2460, 153 L.Ed.2d 604 (2002). Brief Fact Summary. Plaintiff challenged Defendant’s school tuition program, arguing it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.   Synopsis of Rule of Law. State tuition programs which allow parents the choice to send their children to religious private schools does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.   ...

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris
Brief

Citation536 U.S. 639, 122 S.Ct. 2460, 153 L.Ed.2d 604 (2002). Brief Fact Summary. Ohio enacted a Pilot Project Scholarship Program which provides financial assistance in the form of tuition aid to families in the Cleveland City School District attending any participating public or private school. Any private school, whether religious or nonreligious, could participate in this tuition aid program. A group of Ohio taxpayers brought suit.   Synopsis of Rule of Law. A state tuition aid program that allows parents to send their children to religious private schools ...

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris
Brief

Citation536 U.S. 639 (2002) Brief Fact Summary. The State of Ohio established a pilot program to provide educational choices to families with children living in Cleveland School District and the program’s main target was low-income and minority children. The program required that any participating school agree not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or ethnicity.   Synopsis of Rule of Law. The Establishment Clause, applied to the States through the Fourteenth Amendment, prevents a State from enacting laws that have the “purpose” or “effec ...

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris
Brief

Citation536 U.S. 639 (2002) Brief Fact Summary. The Cleveland public schools were performing badly, and in an effort to resolve this issue, the state of Ohio put into effect a school voucher plan under which parents could opt to enroll their children in private schools taking part in the program. Since a great majority of the private schools were affiliated to one or other religious group, Ohio taxpayers filed an action against the program pleading violation of the Establishment Clause. Synopsis of Rule of Law. A school voucher program which allows parents to send their children to a privat ...