Trump backs prayer in schools

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump marked National Religious Freedom Day on Thursday by announcing new federal protections for students’ religious expression.

What is changing? New guidance requires states to verify that school district policies don’t limit constitutionally protected prayer. States must refer any violators to the U.S. Department of Education. Citing U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the rules say students may pray or read Scripture in their leisure time. They do not require schools to sponsor prayer, and restrictions on teachers and school officials endorsing religion remain in place. The president also ordered nine Cabinet departments to cut rules requiring religious groups participating in federal programs to refer people to alternative providers upon request.

Dig deeper: Read more about the guidance from the White House.