WASHINGTON -- Threatened with the loss of federal money, the vast majority of the nation's schools have declared that they allow prayer wherever and however the Constitution permits. For the first time, federal law requires school districts to prove that they have no policy stifling court-protected prayer by students or teachers. Those that don't comply risk losing a share of $23 billion in elementary and secondary school money.
Initial responses, due April 15, showed some states had dozens of schools out of compliance; other states failed to reply at all.
But leaders in those states say paperwork problems accounted for the delay. Most of the more than 15,000 school districts have since certified they follow the law, and federal officials seem content the states have shown good faith.
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