Parochial Schools

Parent, Education, State, Parochial Schools

From the book The Clergyman’s Hand-book of Law, about Parent, Education, State, Parochial Schools (1): The right of the parent to use judgment as to the proper necessaries of his child, including board, lodging, and education, is generally conceded. However, there must be no abuse of these parental rights, as the child also has rights that even a parent can not infringe. Therefore, the State may require a reasonable opportunity for the education of every child; and if the parent can not give it on account of his poverty, it is in the power of the State to take his child in charge and furnish him an education. The right of the State to make laws requiring a parent to send his child to school between certain ages, as from four to twenty-one years, is well settled. The question of the parent’s being obliged to send his child to the public schools or being forbidden to send his child to a private or parochial school, is not settled in some States; but it is being settled in favor of the parent. The Kentucky constitution contains this provision: “… nor shall any man be compelled to send his child to any school to which he may be conscientiously opposed.”610 The right of the State to supervise or inspect private and parochial schools under the police power of the State can not be questioned.611

Resources

Notes and References

1. Charles M. Scanlan, The Clergyman’s Hand-book of Law. The Law of Church and Grave (1909), Benziger Brothers, New York, Cincinnati, Chicago

See Also

• Religion
• Church