What was the outcome of Engel v. Vitale?

In Engel v. Vitale, the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools. This landmark decision was rooted in the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another. The Court found that even though the prayer was voluntary and non-denominational, its promotion by state officials represented an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.

This ruling set a significant precedent by reinforcing the principle of separation of church and state in the context of education, underscoring the importance of maintaining a secular environment in public schools. As a result, school-sponsored prayer, regardless of its nature, was deemed inappropriate in public educational settings, impacting policies and practices related to religious expression in schools across the country.