Justices OK Vouchers For Religious Schools; Bush Applauds Ruling Cleveland Test Case Passes Conservatives win round; wall separating church, state crumbling, foes say.(A)

Byline: IBD STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Led by a narrow conservative majority, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that school voucher programs are constitutional if they provide parents a choice among a range of religious and secular schools.

The 5-4 ruling finally provides guidelines on a contentious issue that's been argued for years. It clears a constitutional cloud from an idea dear to political conservatives and championed by President Bush.

Critics say the ruling erodes the wall between church and state.

Vouchers use taxpayer money to underwrite private or parochial school tuition. Advocates say they improve education by rewarding schools …