School Choice in Question

Lois Wilks-Looby

Introduction

The Yoder family were Amish. The Amish lead a simple life. They live in communities apart from the modern world. The Yoders sent their children to elementary school. They believed the children should learn to read. They refused to send their children to the public high school. A Wisconsin law required school attendance until age 16. The Yoders refused to obey it. They felt that the conditions in a public high school conflicted with their religious beliefs. Several experts testified at the trial for the Yoders. They said that high school could mentally damage the Yoder children. Living in the Amish world and attending a public high school would confuse the children. Instead the Yoders would teach their children farming and good citizenship.

However, the trial court ruled against the Yoders. The appeals court upheld the compulsory attendance law as reasonable. The State Supreme Court reversed the appeals court. The State Supreme Court ruled that compelling attendance did not justify limiting Yoders’ free exercise of religion. Wisconsin appealed to the United States Supreme.

Task

You have been asked to make a determination as to the best way that this problem should have been resolved. You believe that a family should be able to make some decisions on their child’s schooling, based on the first amendment of the constitution, but you have some reservations. In an essay, explain why you think the family should determine attendance at a public high school. Also, you will be responsible to argue your position before the class. In addition, after you have read the decision of the court from the sources below, determine if you agree and give reasons. Be prepared to defend your position before the class. In addition, be prepared to give possible arguments the state may come up with to defend its position. You may use the arguments from the case, to help you to come up with additional arguments.

Process

1) Your first step will be to make a list of the resources listed below.

2) Read the case Wisconsin v. Yoder from the first website below.

3) Use the glossary from the website below to define unfamiliar words.

4) Write a summary of the case in your own words.

5) Write a one to two page essay explaining your position. Include possible arguments the state may present.

6) Prepare to present your findings to class.

New York State Standards

English Language Arts 1, 2, 3

Social Studies Standards 1, 5.

Resources

1) http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/scales/yoder.html

2) http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/scales/yodervis.html

3) http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips.html

4) http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/scales/glossary.html

Evaluation

Grade of 5

The summary shows a clear understanding of the case.

The essay includes an introduction, body and the conclusion.

It should show an understanding of the task, including at least three possible arguments for the state.

The oral presentation should be clear with evidence of good preparation.

Grade of 3

There is a summary of the case

The essay is missing one of the three parts

The are two arguments for the state

The oral presentation is a little unclear with some evidence of preparation

Grade of 1

The summary is unclear

There is no order to the essay.

The argument made on the state’s behalf is unclear

The oral presentation has very little evidence of preparation.