Definition

Wisconsin v. Yoder, 1972 was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that expanded the First Amendment right of freedom of religion. Jonas Yoder a member of the Old Order Amish religion was prosecuted under a Wisconsin law that required all children to attend public schools until age 16. His parents refused to send him to public schools after the eighth grade, arguing that high school attendance was contrary to their religious beliefs. The Supreme Court found that Wisconsin's requirement that all parents send their children to school at least until age 16 violates the First Amendment.

Example

Questions

1. What Amendment does Wisconsin v. Yoder involve?

2. What clause of that Amendment does Wisconsin v. Yoder involve?

3. What institution does Wisconsin v. Yoder limit?

4. What were some of the most important details of Wisconsin v. Yoder?

5. Had you been on the Supreme Court how would you have ruled in Wisconsin v. Yoder?

6. In a unanimous 7-0 decision in Wisconsin v. Yoder, the Court held that individual's interests in the free exercise of religion under the First Amendment outweighed the State's interests in compelling school attendance beyond the eighth grade. What grade would you say should be the cut off for state mandated education?

7. Turn Wisconsin v. Yoder into an emoji?

8. What would change if Wisconsin v. Yoder were overturned by the current Supreme Court?

9. How does Wisconsin v. Yoder illustrate the concept of judicial review?

10. Do you agree with the ruling in Wisconsin v. Yoder?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw Wisconsin v. Yoder! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review