Question

read the passage about the engel v. vitale case. then answer the question below.
a state law in new york required that schools start their day by reciting the pledge of allegiance and a prayer that was voluntary for students. a group of parents of new york students filed a suit, claiming that it was unconstitutional for public schools to endorse religion.
the court ruled in the parents favor, saying that school prayer violated the establishment clause of the constitution, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion. justice black wrote that \it is no part of the business of government to compose official prayers for any group of the american people to recite as a part of a religious program carried on by government.\ since government agencies fund and control public schools, an official prayer required or led by school officials violates the establishment clause, even if the prayer is voluntary.
how did engel v. vitale change school prayer?
it prohibited public schools from leading prayers, since they are government institutions.
it allowed schools to promote the prayers of any religion they chose.
it made prayer mandatory in all public schools to encourage the moral growth of students.
it required public schools to hold daily prayers and religious lessons as part of normal activities.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the passage and each option:

• The passage states that the Court ruled school prayer (even voluntary) led by school officials violated the establishment clause because public schools are government - funded and - controlled.
• Option 1: "It prohibited public schools from leading prayers, since they are government institutions." This matches the reasoning in the passage as public schools are government institutions and the ruling prohibited them from leading prayers to avoid violating the establishment clause.
• Option 2: The passage shows the ruling was against school - sponsored prayer, so schools were not allowed to promote prayers of any religion. Eliminate this.
• Option 3: The ruling was against mandatory or even voluntary school - led prayer, so it did not make prayer mandatory. Eliminate this.
• Option 4: The ruling prohibited school - led prayer, so it did not require public schools to hold daily prayers or religious lessons. Eliminate this.

Answer:

It prohibited public schools from leading prayers, since they are government institutions.