Question

Which of the following are reasons that public education became mandatory in the U.S.?
Employers wanted a better-educated workforce
Church leaders were concerned for the welfare of children
Liberals believed that public education was the cornerstone of democracy
All the above

Answer 1

Explanation:

The movement for compulsory public education (in other words, prohibiting private schools and requiring all children to attend public schools) in the United States began in the early 1920s. It started with the Smith-Towner bill, a bill that would eventually establish the National Education Association and provide federal funds to public schools. Eventually it became the movement to mandate public schooling and dissolve parochial and other private schools.[1] The movement focused on the public's fear of immigrants and the need to Americanize; it had anti-Catholic overtones and found support from groups like the Ku Klux Klan.[2]

The movement gained some legislative attention when a 1920 Michigan referendum for compulsory public education received 40% of the vote.[3] In 1922, Oregon passed a similar referendum. Eventually this law was challenged and unanimously struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in Pierce v. Society of Sisters.[4]

The movement experienced a post–World War II revival when some Americans began to fear the power of the Catholic Church and wanted to ensure public funds were not finding their way to parochial schools.[5] Some compared parochial schools to segregation and accused them of hindering democracy.[6]

Answer 2

Answer:

All of the above

Explanation:

In the late 19th century, other reforms began to sweep the nation. Kindergartens sprouted in urban areas and demands for better trained teachers led to an increase in "normal" schools, colleges that specialized in preparation to teach.