Yoder Facts and Question Presented From Oyez

 

Facts of the case

Jonas Yoder and Wallace Miller, both members of the Old Order Amish religion, and Adin Yutzy, a member of the Conservative Amish Mennonite Church, were prosecuted under a Wisconsin law that required all children to attend public schools until age 16. The three parents refused to send their children to such schools after the eighth grade, arguing that high school attendance was contrary to their religious beliefs.

                      Question

Did Wisconsin's requirement that all parents send their children to school at least until age 16 violate the First Amendment by criminalizing the conduct of parents who refused to send their children to school for religious reasons?

What did the Court hold?

 This is a parental rights case; the Court held that the parents had a valid claim under the Free Exercise Clause and said this:

The essence of all that has been said and written on the subject is that only those  interests of the highest order and those not otherwise served can overbalance legitimate claims to the free exercise of religion. We can accept it as settled, therefore, that however strong the State’s interest in universal compulsory education, it is by no means absolute to the exclusion or subordination of all other interests. [p. 1860]

See also id:

The conclusion is inescapable that secondary schooling, by exposing Amish children to worldly influences in terms of attitudes, goals and values contrary to beliefs, and by substantially interfering with the religious development of the Amish child and his integration into the way of life of the Amish faith community at the crucial adolescent state of development, contravenes the basic religious tenets and practice of the Amish faith, both as to the parent and the child. . . . 

 Wisconsin argued that it had two compelling interests"

 The State advances two primary arguments in support of its system of compulsory education. It notes, as Thomas Jefferson pointed out early in our history, that some degree of education is necessary to prepare citizens to participate effectively and intelligently in our open political system if we are to preserve freedom and independence. Further, education prepares individuals to be self-reliant and selfsufficient participants in society. We accept these propositions. [id.]

 

Are these interests compellingly important? Are they the least restrictive means?