American Government / Unit 3 Gov 139 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Captions available
The idea
In Engel v. Vitale (1962) the Court held a public school may not direct students to recite an official prayer.
In practice
The prayer was brief and students could stay silent; the state's sponsorship of it was the constitutional problem.
Where people slip
The clause restrains the government, not the student — private prayer at school is protected exercise.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for American Government