Vermont Bars Parochial Student from College Course Program, DOJ Says, Violates Constitution - Vermont 2023

Vermont Bars Parochial Student from College Course Program, DOJ Says, Violates Constitution

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE

A parochial high school student and her parents claim that Vermont discriminated against them in violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the U.S. Constitution by excluding them from a state program paying tuition for high school students to take up to two college courses.

The student, A.M., attends a parochial school and would like to participate in the Dual Enrollment Program and take courses at the University of Vermont, which she would be able to do were her school a secular private school.

The U.S. Department of Justice today filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit supporting the parochial student and her parents, arguing that the exclusion of the student from the Dual Enrollment Program is a likely constitutional violation.

“Ever since our patriotic ancestors declared our independence, rejected monarchy, and established the United States of America, our nation has supported and defended a very simple and important ideal, namely, that government may not discriminate against people of faith because of religion. Our Founding Fathers enshrined this principle in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and the United States today remains dedicated to the right of all people to practice their faith without suffering injustice at the hands of governments,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division.

The appeal, A.M. v. French, involves a challenge to the exclusion of students attending religious high schools from Vermont’s Dual Enrollment Program, which provides high school students the opportunity to take up to two college courses while still in high school, with tuition paid by the State.

Defendant: Vermont's 'Dual Enrollment Program', Violation of Free Exercise Clause, Vermont 2023

Defendant: Vermont's 'Dual Enrollment Program' (no real defendant name in source)

Defendant: Vermont's 'Dual Enrollment Program' (no real defendant name in source)

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/department-justice-argues-vermont-s-barring-parochial-student-college-course-program