What did the Supreme Court decide in Engel v. Vitale (1962)?

In Engel v. Vitale (1962), the Supreme Court ruled that school-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The case specifically addressed a voluntary, non-denominational prayer written by the New York Board of Regents, which encouraged students to recite it at the beginning of each school day. The Court found that even though the prayer was intended to be voluntary and non-coercive, its sponsorship by the state constituted an endorsement of religion, thereby breaching the separation of church and state emphasized in the Establishment Clause. This decision set a significant precedent in the area of school prayer and the broader interpretation of religious freedom in public education, affirming that government entities, including public schools, should not be involved in promoting religious practices.