Final answer:
Religious discrimination in public schools in the U.S. was made illegal as a direct result of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, which guarantees individuals the right to practice their religion without government interference.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religious discrimination in public schools was made illegal in the United States as a direct result of the Free Exercise Clause. This clause is part of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and guarantees the right of individuals to practice their religion without government interference. The clause applies to all citizens, including school-age children, ensuring that they are free to practice their religion without fear of discrimination in public educational settings. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that the free exercise of religion applies to children in public schools.
Moreover, the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from endorsing state-sponsored religion, also plays a crucial role in preventing religious discrimination in schools by ensuring government neutrality towards religion. It guarantees that no religion is favored over another or over non-religion in public institutions such as schools.