Which cases struck down school-sponsored prayer in public schools?

• A. Engel v. Vitale (1962) and Abington School District v. Schempp (1963).
• B. Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey
• C. Gideon v. Wainwright and Miranda v. Arizona
• D. Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how the Establishment Clause limits government-sponsored religion in public schools. In Engel v. Vitale, the Supreme Court held that a daily state-written prayer authorized by a public school violated the First Amendment because it amounted to government endorsement of religion in a school setting, even if participation was voluntary and the prayer was non-denominational. In Abington School District v. Schempp, the Court struck down school-mandated Bible readings and devotional exercises as unconstitutional for the same reason—the school, as a government institution, cannot sponsor religious practice. Together, these decisions establish that public schools cannot endorse or require prayers or religious exercises.

The other options address topics outside school prayer: abortion rights, criminal procedure rights, and racial segregation/equal protection. They do not pertain to school-sponsored prayer.