The U.S. Supreme Court Paves Pathway for Students to Attend Publicly Funded Religious Schools: The Potential for Discriminatory Practices

Abstract The U.S. Supreme Court examined whether Maine needed to include sectarian schools in a program designed to provide a free public education to students who live in areas that do not operate public schools. In Carson v. Makin the Court ruled that states are now required to fund religious education if they also fund private education. Although not the focus of the decision, this case raises related concerns about states being required to use public funds to support private religious schools that engage in discriminatory practices. This study seeks to examine whether the Court considered the potential for discriminatory practices.