1. Zelman v. Simmons-Harris Supreme Court Ruling
Steven Schappaugh
EDL 276: Applications of School Law, Mandates, and Policies
Professor Grundmeyer

2. Nuts & Bolts Zelman v. Harris-Simmons Rehnquist Court Docket 00-1751
Case came from United States Court of Appeals for Sixth Circuit
Argued February 20, 2002
Decided July 27, 2002

3. Summary of Facts
Question the court addressed: Is the Establishment Clause being violated by the Pilot Project Scholarship Voucher program in Ohio?
Aid provided to families in need; families have autonomy as to where to apply the voucher
96% of students used aid for a school with religious affiliation
60% of families receiving aid were at or below poverty line
Zelman v. Simmons-Harris. (n.d.) Oyez. Retrieved February 9, 2016, from

4. Decision Supreme Court ruled on a 5-4 decision in favor of vouchers
The Court found that the Establishment Clause was not violated because the state was not determining where the money went, but instead, the families from various backgrounds.
“{The} Ohio program is entirely neutral with respect to religion. It provides benefits directly to a wide spectrum of individuals, defined only by financial need and residence in a particular school district. It permits such individuals to exercise genuine choice among options public and private, secular and religious. The program is therefore a program of true private choice.” -Chief Justice Rehnquist

5. Implications for Schools
Private schools:
Additional sources of income
Potential to diversify student enrollment
Public schools:
Increased competition for enrollment
Enrollment challenges for poorer performing schools

6. Additional Resources https://www.oyez.org/cases/2001/00-1751
court/536/639.html
ZS.html
briefs/zelman-v-simmons-harris.cfm