Wisconsin v. Yoder

The Amish are a North American Protestant group, of Mennonite origin, that has maintained a conservative agricultural way of life. Because of their desire to retain a separate way of life, the Amish have had conflicts with the larger society, especially in the area of compulsory education. The Amish believe that the public educational system does not reflect their community's traditional values, such as humility, correctness, and efficient use of resources and time. Because of this, many Amish parents will not send their children to public high schools, believing that if their children continue with schooling, they will not be fit for the Amish way of life.

The difference between Amish cultural values and those of U.S. society at large is reflected in the instructional methods used in Amish-run elementary schools. The instruction in Amish schools is designed to sustain that community's cultural beliefs. Consequently, these teaching methods can be quite different from those used in public schools. For instance, Amish teachers do not encourage their students to stand out or be different from the other students so that children will learn humility and not become prideful.