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.