Engel v. Vitale (1962)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
The New York Board of Regents authorized a short, voluntary prayer to be recited in public schools. Parents challenged it, and the Supreme Court ruled that state-sponsored prayer in public schools violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

3) Why It Mattered
This was the first case to clearly ban official school prayer. It reinforced the separation of church and state in the public education system.

4) What It Provided or Took Away

• Provided: Stronger enforcement of the Establishment Clause against public institutions.
• Took Away: The ability of state officials to compose and mandate prayers in public schools.

5) Overreach or Proper Role?
The Court acted within its constitutional duty, preventing government from endorsing religion. Critics called it judicial activism, but the decision became a cornerstone of religious liberty jurisprudence.

6) Plain-English Impact Today
Public schools cannot organize or mandate prayer. Students are free to pray individually, but the government cannot endorse or require it.

• First Amendment
• Establishment Clause
• School Prayer
• Religion