Meyer v. Nebraska (1923)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Nebraska made it illegal to teach modern foreign languages to young children. A teacher (Meyer) was convicted for teaching German. The Supreme Court struck down the law, holding that the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause protects a broad “liberty” interest, including parents’ right to direct their children’s education and teachers’ right to teach.

Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Oregon passed a law requiring all children to attend public schools, effectively banning private and parochial schools. The Society of Sisters, which ran Catholic schools, challenged the law. The Supreme Court struck it down, ruling that the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause protects parents’ right to direct their children’s education and to choose private or religious schools.

Prince v. Massachusetts (1944)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Sarah Prince, a Jehovah’s Witness, was convicted for allowing her 9-year-old niece to distribute religious literature in violation of Massachusetts child labor laws. She argued this violated her rights to direct the child’s upbringing and exercise religion. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction, ruling that parental and religious rights are not absolute and can be limited to protect children’s welfare.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Wisconsin required children to attend school until age 16. Amish parents objected, arguing that sending their children to high school conflicted with their religious beliefs. The Supreme Court ruled in their favor, holding that the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause, combined with parental rights, allowed Amish parents to withdraw their children after the 8th grade.

Troxel v. Granville (2000)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
A Washington law allowed any third party to petition for child visitation rights at any time, and courts could grant visitation if it was in the child’s best interest. The mother, Granville, objected to broad visitation for her child’s grandparents. The Supreme Court struck down the law as applied, holding that the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause protects the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children.

Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the Supreme Court opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Parents in Maryland objected to their children being required to read LGBTQ+-inclusive storybooks without an opt-out option. The Supreme Court granted a preliminary injunction against the school district, allowing the parents relief while the case proceeds, finding they were likely to succeed on their Free Exercise Clause claim.

3) Why It Mattered
This decision highlighted growing tensions between parental rights, religious freedom, and public school curricula. It signals stronger protection for parents seeking to opt out of content that conflicts with their religious beliefs.