Which case addressed the issue of school-sponsored prayer in public schools?

The case that addressed the issue of school-sponsored prayer in public schools is Engel v. Vitale. This landmark Supreme Court decision, decided in 1962, ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools, even if the prayer is nondenominational and students have the option to participate voluntarily. The ruling was based on the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another.

Engel v. Vitale set a significant precedent in the area of school prayer by reinforcing the separation of church and state within the education system. The decision emphasized that public schools, as government entities, must remain neutral regarding religious beliefs and practices, thereby protecting the rights of students from being subjected to religious activities imposed by a state institution.

This case is foundational in discussions about religious freedom and the role of religion in public institutions, particularly in educational settings.