In 1925, the trial known as the Scopes Monkey Trial captivated the American public and media. It centered around John T. Scopes, a teacher in Tennessee who was accused of violating the Butler Act, which made it illegal to teach human evolution in state-funded schools. The trial highlighted the growing tension between modernist and traditionalist perspectives in the United States, particularly concerning science and religion. It drew national attention not only for its courtroom proceedings but also for its implications regarding educational freedom and the separation of church and state.
Which of the following best describes a significant outcome of the Scopes Monkey Trial?