Which case involved school-era religion in the public school setting?

• A. Abington School District v. Schempp (1963)
• B. Reynolds v. United States (1879)
• C. Employment Division v. Smith (1990)
• D. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Answer: (A)

Public schools cannot sponsor religious activities without violating the Establishment Clause. In Abington School District v. Schempp (1963), the Supreme Court struck down a state law that required daily Bible readings and recitation of the Lord’s Prayer in public schools, holding that school-sponsored religious exercises amount to government endorsement of religion and are unconstitutional in the public-school setting. The decision makes clear that while individuals may hold and express religious beliefs, public schools may not lead or compel religious practice as part of the school day. The other cases touch on religion in different contexts (Reynolds about free exercise and polygamy, Smith about free exercise and general laws, Gideon about right to counsel) and do not address the issue of school-sponsored religion in public schools.