IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON

_________________ Radestam v. Everyone Else

____________________

Appeal to the Supreme Court from the Multnomah County Superior Court

Nicole M. Radestam, Ph.D. Coordinator, Task Group on Private Schools C/o University Studies Portland State University Portland, OR, 97207-0751

Interest of Amicus

The majority of private schools are of Christian or Catholic belief, and it is only fair that all religions get an equal shot at an educated lifestyle. Minority religions deserve every right to be as well educated as a Christian or Catholic student who attended a private school. It is important to give all religions a choice between public or private schooling. Because there are so few Jewish based private schools, majority of people who are Jewish are forced to go to public school because there are simply no other options.

Summary of Argument

While there is a lack of Jewish private schools, the expanse depends on the location. Few exist on the west coast, but several are clustered on the east coast. The problem then becomes whether the family can afford the education, not whether or not the scarcity of Jewish private schools is offensive to their religion.

ARGUMENT Introduction

Minority religions [h]ave a difficult time finding private schools specifically focused on their religion, unlike Christianity.1 Because of this, minority religions, like Judaism, lack a good education and thus their future could be affected in a negative way. By going to public school, Jewish students miss out on an opportunity to come together in an educational setting.2 Public schooling versus private schooling is inferior. In a private school setting, students are not criticized by their religion but instead [e]ncouraged to continue with their beliefs.3 Attending a [p]ublic school can lead to students falling out of faith4 because of the lack of encouragement or even [d]iscouragement of their faith.5

1 Cortina, Kai. S and Frey, Kristina, Private Schools in the United States History and Current Controversies (Michigan, September 2009), p. 704 2 Mendelsson, David, Embracing Jewish day school education in England, 1965-1979 (Jerusalem, Israel, 2009), p. 545-563 3 King, Pamela Ebstyne, Carr, Drew, and Boitor, Ciprian, Religion, spirituality, positive youth development, and thriving (Pasadena, California, 2011), p. 161-195 4 Mora, Toni and Escardibul, Josep-Oriol, Schooling effects on undergraduate performance: evidence from the University of Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain, November 2008), p. 519 5 White, Kimberly R., Connecting religion and teacher identity: The unexplored relationship between teachers and religion in public schools (Muncie, Indiana, August 2009), p. 857-866 3

A. A Shortage of Jewish Private Schools

[One] would think there are plenty of Jewish private schools that revolve around the Jewish faith6 simply because there are thousands of private schools centered on Christianity. On the contrary, very [f]ew Jewish private schools exist.7 When it is simple for Christians and Catholics to enroll in private schools focused primarily on Christianity or Catholicism, [Jews] have a difficult time finding the right school.8 This is because Judaism is considered a minority religion and does not need as much attention as other religions,9 such as Christianity and Catholicism.

1. Public Schooling Becomes the Only Option for Those of Jewish faith

6 Cohen-Zada, Danny and Justman, Moshe, Affinity and tension between religious denominations: evidence from private school enrollment (Netherlands), p. 550 7 Cortina, Kai. S and Frey, Kristina, Private Schools in the United States History and Current Controversies (Michigan, September 2009), p. 705 8 Uecker, Jeremy E., Alternative schooling strategies and the religious lives of American adolescents (Austin, Texas, December 2008), p. 563 9 Pomson, A, Parochial school satisfactions: what research in private Jewish day schools reveals about satisfactions and dissatisfactions in teachers' work (Oxfordshire, England, June 2005), p. 163 4

It is easy to see that Jewish students are turned to public schooling. By attending public schools, [t]heir faith may weaken or diminish completely.10 Public schools are notorious for promoting a religious-free environment11 because it is thought to bring students together and eliminate stereotypes. While this is true, the fact that there is a shortage in Jewish private schools still exists. Religious people appreciate a religion based schooling method, and that is not something public schools do. Fortunately for Christians and other major religions, finding a private school focused on religion is an easy task. Those of Jewish faith face difficulties in finding a suitable school.

2. Finances are a Main Part of Choosing Public or Private Schooling

In addition, private schools cost money while public schools are free. This means that private schools can not only offer a religious based

10Hemming, Peter J., The place of religion in public life: school ethos as a lens on society (England, December 2011), p. 1061 11Cohen-Zada, Danny and Justman, Moshe, Affinity and tension between religious denominations: evidence from private school enrollment (Netherlands), p. 555 5

curriculum but also a higher education.12 Public schools have no tuition cost, so the classes are less vigorous and educational.13 It is understandable that all parents wish for their children to have a good education, but not everyone can afford it or even take it into account.14 Religious parents are more demanding when it comes to finding the perfect school for their child. Often, the parents are willing to spend more money on a private school that is incorporated with religion.15 Unfortunately, few Jewish private schools exist, and the ones that do are extremely expensive. Christian and Catholic churches may offer financial help when it comes to students enrolling in a private school, but Jewish

12Mora, Toni and Escardibul, Josep-Oriol, Schooling effects on undergraduate performance: evidence from the University of Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain, November 2008), p. 520 13Cortina, Kai. S and Frey, Kristina, Private Schools in the United States History and Current Controversies (Michigan, September 2009), p. 708 14Uecker, Jeremy E., Alternative schooling strategies and the religious lives of American adolescents (Austin, Texas, December 2008), p. 565 15Cohen-Zada, Danny and Justman, Moshe, Affinity and tension between religious denominations: evidence from private school enrollment (Netherlands), p. 557 6

churches are not as financially capable.16 Because of this, many Jewish students are forced to attend a public school.17 Along with these difficulties are issues many people do not think twice about, such as manners and behaviors learned at school. All parents wish for their children to grow up learning wonderful manners and gaining positive behavior. In the case of a private school, students are expected to be respectful and proper.18 In public schools, manners and behaviors are never taken into account. Students simply go to classes and go home. At private schools, students are monitored and observed by their teachers and other superiors.19 Students who demonstrate ill behavior are put in their place. Meaning they are corrected verbally, not physically. At public schools, teachers only monitor what goes on within the classroom. Sometimes the classroom itself is not taken into account, and teachers let their students say and do what they want. Private schools are strict and 16Avni, Sharon, Hebrew-only language policy in religious education (New York, May 2012), p. 169 17Uecker, Jeremy E., Alternative schooling strategies and the religious lives of American adolescents (Austin, Texas, December 2008), p. 566 18Cohen-Zada, Danny and Justman, Moshe, Affinity and tension between religious denominations: evidence from private school enrollment (Netherlands), p. 558 19Mora, Toni and Escardibul, Josep-Oriol, Schooling effects on undergraduate performance: evidence from the University of Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain, November 2008), p. 521 7

demand properness. In light, private schools are more appealing to parents of religious beliefs than parents who are not religious.20 CONCLUSION

In conclusion there should be a surplus of religious private schools. Instead of major religions, there should be minor religions associated with private schools as well. While there are some minority religious schools, they are clustered in one too few areas and ought to be spread around, so that all students of every religion have a chance to attend the school they desire.

DATED AT Portland, Oregon this 10th day of February, 2013.

20Hemming, Peter J., The place of religion in public life: school ethos as a lens on society (England, December 2011), p. 1062 8

Respectfully submitted,

Nicole M. Radestam, Ph.D. Coordinator, Task Group on Private Schools C/o University Studies Portland State University Portland, OR, 97207-0751