Which constitutional protection was invoked to support Amish exemption from public school requirements?

• A. Establishment Clause
• B. Free Exercise Clause
• C. Due Process Clause
• D. Equal Protection Clause

Answer: (B)

Protecting religious practice from government interference. In Wisconsin v. Yoder, the Supreme Court held that forcing Amish children to attend public school beyond the eighth grade would place a substantial burden on the families’ religious beliefs. The state’s interest in educating children, while important, did not outweigh that burden, so the Amish could be exempt from the public school requirement under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. This is about safeguarding religious liberty, not about government endorsement of religion, due process, or equal protection.