In a 1947 decision, the Supreme Court allowed a New Jersey town to fund busing to a parochial school because

In a 1947 decision, the Supreme Court allowed a New Jersey town to fund busing to a parochial school because

• A. No alternative form of transportation existed
• B. Enrollment at that school was open to all
• C. The resulting tax burden on the average citizen was negligible
• D. Busing was religiously neutral

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is how the Establishment Clause allows government aid when it is neutral and generally available, even if it benefits religious institutions. In this case, the Court upheld a program that funded bus transportation for students to both public and private schools, including parochial ones, because the aid was secular in purpose and applied to all students regardless of religion. It did not endorse or promote religion, and it wasn’t limited to favoring a religious school. That neutral, universal application is what made the busing permissible. The other options miss the point: the ruling didn’t hinge on whether there were no alternative transportation options, nor on enrollment being open to all, nor on the tax burden being negligible. The key factor is neutrality toward religion.

The main idea being tested is how the Establishment Clause allows government aid when it is neutral and generally available, even if it benefits religious institutions. In this case, the Court upheld a program that funded bus transportation for students to both public and private schools, including parochial ones, because the aid was secular in purpose and applied to all students regardless of religion. It did not endorse or promote religion, and it wasn’t limited to favoring a religious school. That neutral, universal application is what made the busing permissible.

The other options miss the point: the ruling didn’t hinge on whether there were no alternative transportation options, nor on enrollment being open to all, nor on the tax burden being negligible. The key factor is neutrality toward religion.