FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What was the law that required parents to ensure their children could read and understand the laws and religions of their community?

1. First compulsory law (Massachusetts)

2. Second Education Act

3. National Education Policy

4. Public School Affirmation Act

The correct answer is: First compulsory law (Massachusetts)

The First Compulsory Law, enacted in Massachusetts in 1642, was a pivotal piece of legislation in American education history. This law required parents to ensure that their children could read and understand the laws and religious texts of their community, reflecting the early colonial emphasis on literacy for civic responsibility and moral education. It established the principle that education was essential for informed citizenship and active participation in the community. The significance of this law lies in its early recognition of the importance of education in shaping a knowledgeable populace, which could uphold the social and legal frameworks of the time. By mandating that parents take responsibility for their children's literacy, it laid the groundwork for later educational reforms and the broader establishment of public education systems. The First Compulsory Law marked a critical step towards ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, had access to the foundational skills necessary for participation in their communities. Other options like the Second Education Act, National Education Policy, and Public School Affirmation Act do not directly align with the historical requirement for parental responsibility regarding children's literacy in relation to laws and religion, which is specifically addressed in the First Compulsory Law.