What does the Establishment Clause prohibit in relation to prayer in public schools?

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment restricts the government's ability to promote, endorse, or establish a religion. In the context of public schools, this means that any form of prayer that is sponsored or organized by the school is prohibited, as it could be seen as the school endorsing a particular faith or religious practice.

When schools sponsor prayer—whether that is through organized moments of prayer before school events, officially led prayers, or any activity that is directed or sanctioned by the school authorities—it poses a risk of coercion among students, as not all may share the same beliefs. This aligns with Supreme Court precedent, which emphasizes the need to maintain a separation between church and state, particularly in public educational settings where students should feel free to practice their own beliefs or have no religious belief at all without pressure from the school.

In contrast, the other options involve forms of prayer that are not led or endorsed by the school. Private prayer among students, non-denominational prayer, and prayer led by student volunteers fall within the realm of personal expression. As long as these forms of prayer do not disrupt the school environment or infringe on the rights of others, they are generally permitted under the law. Hence, the prohibition specifically targets school-sponsored prayer.