Private schools win OK on aid to meet state laws

The Supreme Court, sharply divided on the church-state issue, ruled 5 to 4 Wednesday that it is constitutional for New York State to reimburse private schools for complying with state academic requirements. This affirmed a lower-court ruling that the New York law -- which calls for reimbursing nonpublic schools for the cost of attendance, testing, and reporting requirements imposed by the state -- neither furthers nor inhibits religion.