Minersville School District v. Gobitis (1940)
In an 8-1 Court Decision, the Court ruled that a school district's
interest in creating national unity was sufficient to allow them to require students
to salute the flag.
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943)
The Court ruled 8-1 that a school district violated the rights of students by forcing
them to salute the American flag.
Everson v. Board of Education (1947)
Supreme Court decision finding that a New Jersey law providing for reimbursement
to parents of parochial school students for transportation costs on public busses
is constitutional.
McCollum v. Board of Education (1948)
By a 6-1 vote the Supreme Court agreed with Mrs. McCollum, an atheist mother, and
disallowed the practice of having religious education to take place in public school
classrooms during the school day.
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
The Court ruled 7 to 1 that it was unconstitutional for a government agency like
a school or government agents like public school employees to require students to
recite prayers.
Abington Township School District v. Schempp (1963)
The Court ruled 8-1 against requiring the recitation of Bible verses and the Lord's Prayer.
Board of Education v. Allen (1968)
Supreme Court decision finding that a New York Law requiring public school districts
to purchase text books for private schools, including parochial schools, is permissible
and not a violation of the Establishment Clause.
Epperson v. Arkansas (1968)
The Court found that an Arkansas law prohibiting the teaching of evolution is
impermissible because it violates the Establishment Clause and prohibits the free
exercise of religion.
Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)
On June 28th, 1971, the Court unanimously (7-0) determined that the direct government
assistance to religious schools was unconstitutional.
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
On May 15th 1972 the Court ruled 6 to 1 that the compulsory education law in Winconsin
did indeed violate the Free Exercise Clause for Amish parents.
Committee for Public Education v. Nyquist (1973)
The Court found all three sections of a New York law providing, among other things,
tax deductions and reimbursements for children in parochial schools, unconstitutional.
Each of the three parts of the law had the primary effect of furthering religion.
Meek v. Pittenger (1975)
Supreme Court decision invalidating most of two Pennsylvania laws providing for instructional
materials and equipment to religious schools because most of that aid could be easily
diverted to religious purposes.
Wolman v. Walter (1977)
The Court allowed Ohio to provide standardized tests, therapeutic and diagnostic
services to non-public school children. However, the state was not permitted to
offer educational materials or subsidize class field trips.
Stone v. Graham (1980)
The Court ruled that a Kentucky law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments
in each public school classroom in the state to be unconstituional.
Segraves v. California (1981)
A California judge ruled that teaching evolution in public school science classes does not
infringe upon the rights of any students or parents to the free exercise of their religion,
even if they sincerely believe that evolution is contrary to their religious beliefs.
McClean v. Arkansas (1981)
The Court found that Arkasas' "blanced treatment" law mandating equal treatment
of creation science with evolution was unconstitutional.
Mueller v. Allen (1983)
The Supreme Court rules 5-4 that a Minnesota law allowing parents to make tax
deductions for expenses incurred through things like textbooks and other supplies
at private schools is constitutional, even thought most of the benefit goes to
religious and not secular schools.
Aguilar v. Felton (1985)
In a 5-4 Court Decision in 1985, the Court overturned New York City's program of
paying the salaries of public employees who provided any remedial assistance to low-income
students in parochial school environments.
Grand Rapids School District v. Ball (1985)
Grand Rapids School District offered two programs conducted in leased private
school classrooms: one taught during the regular school day by public school
teachers and the other taught after regular school hours by part-time teachers.
Both were found unconstitional.
Wallace v. Jaffree (1985)
The Court found that an Alabma law requiring that each school day
begin with a one minute period of "silent meditation or voluntary prayer"
was unconstitional.
Edwards v. Aguillard (1987)
In a 7-2 Court Decision, the Court invalidated Louisiana's "Creationism Act"
because it violated the Establishment Clause.
Board of Education of Kiryas Joel Village School v. Grumet (1989)
The Court found that a school district boundary was unconstitutionally drawn to
deliberately aid a particular religious group.
Webster v. New Lenox (1990)
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that school boards have the right to prohibit
teaching creationism because such lessons would constitute religious advocacy and,
hence, such restrictions do not constitute an infringement on a teacher's free speech rights.
Lee v. Weisman (1992)
On June 24th 1992, the Court ruled in a 5-4 Court Decision that the graduation prayer
during school graduation violated the Establishment Clause.
Jones v. Clear Creek (1992)
The Fifth Circuit Court ruled that it was not unconstitutional for a school to allow
graduating seniors to vote on whether or not there would prayers during graduation
ceremonies.
Zobrest v. Catalina Foothills School District (1993)
In 1993, the Court decided 5-4 to require a school district to offer a student in
a private religious school the sign language interpreter he needed.
Peloza v. Capistrano (1994)
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that a teacher does not have a right to teach
creationism in a biology class, that "evolutionism" is not a religion or
world view, and that the government can restrict the speech of employees while they
are on the job.
Brown v. Woodland Joint Unified School District (1994)
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision holding that a school district's use of the
"Impressions" teaching aid did not constitute a promotion of witchcraft
and denigration of Christianity.
ACLU v. Black Horse Regional Board of Ed. (1995)
Third Circuit Court opinion that a school could not allow students to vote on whether
or not they would have a student-lead prayer during graduation because the degree
of state involvement in the ceremonies meant that any aspect of it was state-approved,
including the prayer and prayer content.
Agostini v. Felton (1997)
On June 23rd, 1997, in a 5-4 Court Decision, the Court allowed public school teachers
to tutor private school students in their private schools, even if the schools were
primarily religious in nature.
Good News Club v. Milford Central School District (1998)
Second District Court decision which found that a school district in New York could
prohibit a community religious group from meeting in the school building because
they would using it for specifically religious purposes.
DiLorento v. Downey USD (1999)
The Supreme Court let stand, without comment, a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision
that a school district was within its rights to discontinue a program of paid advertising
signs on school grounds rather than accept a sign promoting the Ten Commandments.
Cole v. Oroville Union High School (1999)
Ninth Circuit Court ruling that extremely sectarian and proselytizing speeches at
a graduation ceremony could be prohibited because of the reasonable impression that
the religious message was supported by the school. The Supreme Court let this stand.
Freiler v. Tangipahoa (1999)
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals found that a disclaimer to be read before teaching
about evolution ultimately had the effect of furthering religious interests and was
therefore unconstitutional.
Santa Fe School District v. Doe (2000)
The Supreme Court ruled that official, student-led prayers before a school football
game violated the separation of church and state.
Mitchell v. Helms (2000)
Supreme Court decision allowing for educational materials and equipment to be given
to religious schools, even if such equipment could be and is diverted for religious
purposes - so long as this aid is granted to any religious or private school in an
even-handed manner.
LeVake v. Independent School District (2001)
A federal district court finds that a school may remove a teacher from teaching a biology
class when that teacher, a creationist, cannot adequately teach evolution.
FFRF v. Rhea County Board of Education (2002)
A federal district court decides that a public school cannot have students from the local
Bryan College come in to teach Bible classes.
Zelman v. Simmons (2002)
The Supreme Court rules 5-4 that a Cleveland, Ohio, program which spends large
amounts of public money on subsidizing education at religious schools is
constitutional.
Newdow v. U.S. Congress (2002)
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rules that the addition of the words "under
God" to the Pledge of Allgiance back in 1954 was unconstitutional.
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