In the Lee v. Weisman case, Deborah Weisman and her father challenged her school about the school's practice of inviting clergy to offer prayers at graduation ceremonies. Deborah was not affiliated with the same type of religion that the clergy was, so she decided to opt out of going to her graduation. Justice Kennedy spoke for the majority in the Court's decision. He dismissed government sponsored religious activities. He said it was unacceptable that a student should forfeit her own graduation in order to be free from such an establishment of religion.
Even earlier, the same fact has remained. The Supreme Court will not allow prayer in public schools. In 1930, the Supreme Court was asked to direct the state school superintendent to require Bible readings in the public schools. The Supreme Court dismissed it.
It is also a common mistake among many people to believe that prayer in schools is completely illegal. Quite the contrary. Prayer in public schools is legal, and that right will never be taken away from anyone. It is already legal, but only under certain circumstances. Children, by themselves, are allowed to pray in public schools. But, as soon as a teacher is "encouraging or soliciting student religious or anti-religious," (Religion in the Public Schools 2) activities, it has become illegal.
So, what does this leave the students to do? Basically, a student is allowed to sit at his or her desk and pray to themselves or with other students, as long as it does not interfere with the other students" learning abilities. If this is not sufficient enough, it has been suggested, "churches near schools could open their doors to students who want to pray before class," (Iusom A1).
A student is also allowed other religious freedoms. But, they are limited. The students are allowed to distribute religious literature to other students. But, the school has the power and authority to step in and say when and where it is to be distributed.