IJ's David Hodges & Plaintiff Ariella Hellman on U.S. First Circuit Case, Hellman v. Mass. DESE
On this week’s episode of The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Ark Prof. Albert Cheng and Alisha Searcy of the Center for Strong Public Schools speak with David Hodges, a school choice attorney with the Institute for Justice, and Ariella Hellman, director of government affairs for Agudath Israel of New England. Together, they discuss the U.S. First Circuit case Hellman v. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, exploring how Hodges and the IJ team are shaping legal arguments around private school choice and religious liberty. They also explore how Hellman’s personal journey as a mother, lawyer, and advocate highlights the real-world stakes of centuries-old anti-aid laws. From the influence of U.S. Supreme Court rulings like Trinity Lutheran, Espinoza, and Carson, to the ongoing negative impact of Massachusetts’ 1850s Know-Nothing Amendment, Hodges and Hellman explain how a positive ruling could expand educational access and opportunities for families of faith across the Bay State. They talk about their experience working together on this U.S. Circuit case, exploring some of the challenges within the Massachusetts legal process. In closing, Hodges and Hellman offer an inside look at the legal battles and personal determination necessary to shape the future of education law in the Bay State and across the U.S.
Stories of the Week: Albert shares an opinion piece from the New York Times on how Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana are educational trailblazers in the science of reading. Alisha discusses a story from Chalkbeat on how a Chicago private school welcomed Education Secretary Linda McMahon despite community pushback.
Guests:
David Hodges is an attorney at the Institute for Justice, where he focuses on revitalizing the Meyer/Pierce right and defending educational choice programs. David was a member of the IJ team that successfully argued the landmark educational choice case Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue before the United States Supreme Court. Prior to joining IJ, he cofounded the Governor’s STEM Scholars, an educational nonprofit program, and worked for Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer. He has been interviewed on PBS and NPR, quoted in the New York Times, and published in National Journal, Commentary, Star–Ledger, Weekly Standard, and the Ocean and Coastal Law Journal. David earned a B.A. from American University and his J.D. from American University Washington College of Law.
Ariella Hellman is the Senior Vice President for Public Policy & Advocacy at ADAC and Director of Government Affairs for Agudath Israel of New England. She and her family are the lead plaintiffs in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit case, Hellman, v. Mass. Dep’t of Elementary and Secondary Education. Ariella has served as the Director of the Day School Initiative at Combined Jewish Philanthropies and was also the Associate Director of Government Affairs at the Jewish Community Relations Council, where she advocated for key legislative priorities on behalf of the Jewish community. Ariella holds a bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University and a J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law.