Cert. Denied In AmeriCorps Teacher Funding Case

The Associated Press reports that yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in American Jewish Congress v. Corporation for National and Community Service. (See prior posting.) At issue was whether the Corporation for National and Community Service may, through the Americorps program, provide education awards to teachers who teach religion as well as secular subjects in religious schools, and whether it may make grants of $400 per trainee to the religious organizations that oversee those teachers-- including six "faith-based" programs. Last year the D.C. Circuit held that the funding did not promote religion in violation of the Establishment Clause. Chief Justice Roberts did not participate in the decision on the petition. The American Jewish Congress expressed regret that its cert petition was not granted.