News In Brief

School prayer amendment defeated in Senate

The Senate Tuesday defeated, 56 to 44, a constitutional amendment that would allow children to pray aloud in public school. The amendment was backed by President Reagan and the some religious groups.

Sen. Gary Hart (D) of Colorado took time out from campaigning in the Midwest to come back and vote against the amendment. Sen. Charles Percy (R) of Illinois flew back from his tough primary fight in Illinois to vote in favor.

President Reagan said before the vote, ''When polls reflect a majority of 80 percent of the American people are in favor of prayer in our schools, it is time to allow them to do so.''