Which test is championed by Sandra Day O'Connor?

• A. Endorsement Test
• B. Nonpreferentialist Test
• C. Strict Separation
• D. Bad Tendency Test

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how the Establishment Clause should be evaluated in government actions. Sandra Day O’Connor championed the Endorsement Test, which asks whether a government action would be perceived by a reasonable observer as endorsing or supporting religion. If it does send a message of endorsement, it’s more likely to violate the Establishment Clause. This approach focuses on perception and the government’s signaling about religion, rather than strict separation alone.

In practice, this means analyzing things like-public displays, school practices, or official sponsorships to see if they convey “the state endorses religion.” If they do, they’re likely unconstitutional under this test. The other options aren’t the test most closely associated with O’Connor: the Nonpreferentialist idea is a different approach to how government interacts with religion, strict separation is a broader principle rather than a specific test she promoted, and the Bad Tendency Test relates to free speech, not Establishment Clause endorsement.