49a5d8d9_n_and_education__1899_to_1970___Holding_Rationale
[Date] 1948 [Case] McCollum v. Board of Education, 333 U.S. 203 - An Ill. state plan offered religious instruction in the public schools. Children who did not wish to participate could be reassigned to other classes where no religious instruction was being offered, i.e., study hall, etc. [Vote] 8:1 [Issue Raised] Does a state plan permitting religious instruction in the public schools with the provision that non-participants be reassigned to classes offering no religious instruction violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment? [S/P/N] S [Holding/Rationale] 
Because public schools have compulsory education requirements, the Ill. plan created a situation where students were forced to participate in religious instruction or risk being ostracized by teachers and peers. The Court found the plan did violate the Establishment Clause.
Important Establishment Clause cases dealing with religion and education: 1899 to 1970.
Holding/Rationale