Justices Decline Appeal on AmeriCorps’ Role in Religious Schools

Washington

The U.S. Supreme Court last week declined to rule on the constitutionality of federal AmeriCorps program grants that are paid to volunteers who teach in religious schools.

It also decided an antitrust case in the heavy-truck industry that has a bearing on school districts’ purchases of school buses.

AmeriCorps awards scholarships to individuals who perform at least 1,700 hours of secular public service in programs sponsored by a wide range of organizations, including more than 1,600 schools, both public and religious. The program also gives sponsoring organizations $400 for each individual who performs public service with the program, to help defray the administrative costs of participation. The money is paid under the National and Community...