FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Who established the first compulsory education law requiring 12 weeks of schooling?

1. Massachusetts legislators

2. Educational Reform Committee

3. Civil Rights Organization

4. State Government

The correct answer is: Massachusetts legislators

The first compulsory education law in the United States, which required children to attend school for a minimum of 12 weeks, was established by Massachusetts legislators in 1852. This historic legislation laid the groundwork for the modern public education system by recognizing the state's responsibility to ensure that children received an education. This initiative was driven by the belief that education was essential for an informed citizenry and an effective democracy. The law represented a significant shift in the societal perception of education, moving it from a privilege of the wealthy to a right accessible to all children, which would ultimately influence subsequent education reforms across the nation.