June 19, 2000

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided public schools cannot let students lead prayers at football games.

The six-to-three ruling reaffirms the court's opinion that prayer in public schools must be private. In this particular case, the court said a Texas school district's policy of allowing such student-led prayers violated the constitutionally required separation of government and religion.

Many believe the ruling could affect more than just football games.

However, in the ruling, the court said that individual students are still free to pray "...at any time before, during or after the schoolday" -- including before meals -- as long as their prayers aren't disruptive and don't interfere with other students.

Groups of public school students can also meet for prayer or worship, either informally or as a formal school organization, if other student clubs are allowed at school.