Zorach v. Clauson, Constituting the Board of Education of the City of New York

Summary

The Court upheld New York City's released-time program, which permitted students to leave public school for off-premises religious instruction upon parental request. It held that the program neither prohibited the free exercise of religion nor established religion because the public schools provided only neutral scheduling accommodation, did not conduct or finance religious instruction, and the record showed no coercion by school authorities. Justices Black, Frankfurter, and Jackson dissented, contending that the program used compulsory public education to channel students into religious instruction.