School vouchers struck down

A federal court has struck down the school-voucher program in Cleveland, Ohio, saying it violates the constitutionally mandated separation of church and state.

“This scheme involves the grant of state aid directly and predominantly to the coffers of the private, religious schools,” Cincinnati’s 6^th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said in a ruling Dec. 11.

“And it is unquestioned that these institutions incorporate religious concepts, motives and themes into all facets of their educational planning.”

The ruling could set up a showdown before the U.S. Supreme Court, which has narrowed but not overturned a 1973 landmark ruling that vouchers are unconstitutional.

Lower courts have issued mixed rulings on vouchers. Court battles over vouchers are pending in three states. The Supreme Court has refused to review cases involving voucher programs in Milwaukee and Maine.

(ABP)