What was the ruling in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?

The ruling in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that Amish children could be exempted from mandatory school attendance laws beyond the eighth grade. The Supreme Court recognized that forcing Amish children to attend high school conflicted with their family's religious beliefs and way of life. The Court determined that the state's interest in compulsory education did not outweigh the First Amendment rights of the Amish community, which emphasized a way of life that included limited formal education.

This ruling is significant because it highlights the tension between state educational mandates and the rights of parents and children to practice their religion freely. The decision underscores the principle that parental authority and religious freedom can take precedence in certain circumstances over state laws intended to ensure education. While the other choices touch on related themes about education, they do not accurately capture the essence of the Court’s decision in this specific case.