Which case is associated with the prohibition of school prayer in public schools?

Which case is associated with the prohibition of school prayer in public schools?

• A. Everson v. Board of Education
• B. Engel v. Vitale
• C. Lemon v. Kurtzman
• D. Zelman v. Simmons-Harris

Answer: (B)

This question tests how the Establishment Clause restricts religion in public schools. Engel v. Vitale held that public schools cannot lead or sponsor a prayer, even a non-denominational one, because having school officials authorize a prayer amounts to government endorsement of religion and pressure on students to participate. That ruling says school-sponsored prayer in public schools is unconstitutional, reinforcing the separation of church and state in an educational setting. Other landmark cases involve different issues: one focuses on government funding or support for religious schools, another on a test for religious involvement by the government, and another on school vouchers rather than prayer. So the case tied to prohibiting school prayer in public schools is Engel v. Vitale.

This question tests how the Establishment Clause restricts religion in public schools. Engel v. Vitale held that public schools cannot lead or sponsor a prayer, even a non-denominational one, because having school officials authorize a prayer amounts to government endorsement of religion and pressure on students to participate. That ruling says school-sponsored prayer in public schools is unconstitutional, reinforcing the separation of church and state in an educational setting. Other landmark cases involve different issues: one focuses on government funding or support for religious schools, another on a test for religious involvement by the government, and another on school vouchers rather than prayer. So the case tied to prohibiting school prayer in public schools is Engel v. Vitale.