INDIANAPOLIS -
An Indianapolis judge has upheld Indiana's school voucher law, rejecting opponents' arguments that it unconstitutionally used taxpayers' money to support religion.
Indiana State Teachers Association President Nate Schnellenberger says opponents will appeal Friday's ruling.
Institute for Justice attorney Bert Gall calls the ruling a major victory for parents and students. He represented two parents in the lawsuit.
The Indiana attorney general's office issued the following statement Friday evening.
"The legislation followed the Indiana Constitution in creating broader educational options for Hoosier children since the scholarship funding is directed to students' families, not to private schools. The court agreed that the choice scholarship program does not violate anyone's rights and we are pleased with the thoughtful analysis," attorney general Greg Zoeller said.
Marion Superior Court Judge Michael Keele said the School Choice Scholarship program doesn't violate the state constitution because the state isn't directly funding parochial schools. Instead, it gives scholarship vouchers to parents, who can choose where to use them.
About 4,000 children are enrolled in Indiana's school voucher program, the nation's largest.
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