Engel v. Vitale (1962) and Abington Township v. Schempp (1963) addressed what practice in public schools?

• A. Lunchroom policies
• B. Graduation requirements
• C. Daily public prayers or Bible readings
• D. School bus schedules

Answer: (C)

These cases focus on the government's role in religion within public schools, specifically the practice of daily school-sponsored prayers or Bible readings. The Supreme Court ruled that public schools cannot sponsor or organize prayers, or require Bible readings, as that would amount to government endorsement or promotion of religion. In Engel v. Vitale, the Court struck down a daily, non-denominational prayer composed for use in New York schools, because it still represented official state endorsement of religion. In Abington Township v. Schempp, the Court invalidated a Pennsylvania law requiring Bible readings and the Lord’s Prayer, ruling that mandating religious activities in the school setting violates the Establishment Clause. Together, these decisions establish that daily public prayers or Bible readings in public schools are unconstitutional, while privately chosen individual prayer remains permissible as long as it isn’t school-directed or coercive.