Final answer:
The Supreme Court's decision in Engel v. Vitale ruled that state-sanctioned prayer in public schools violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the establishment of religion by the government, reinforcing the separation of church and state.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the case of Engel v. Vitale, the Supreme Court ruled that prayer in school violated freedom of religion. Specifically, the Court found that by providing a state-sanctioned prayer, New York had officially approved religion, which was a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This decision was significant as it prohibited organized prayer in public schools and reinforced the separation of church and state policies, creating a clear boundary between government business and the endorsement of religious practices in public institutions.
The case has been and continues to be a hotly debated topic, reflecting deep divisions over the role of religion in public life and the interpretation of the First Amendment. The Engel v. Vitale ruling set a precedent for subsequent cases concerning religious activities in schools, gradually establishing a legal framework through which prayer in public schools has been assessed, such as in the cases of Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe and Lee v. Weisman.