FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What legislation required all children under 14 to attend school for at least 6 months prior to employment?

1. Child Labor Law

2. Compulsory Education Law

3. Educational Standards Act

4. Employment Act

The correct answer is: Child Labor Law

The Child Labor Law is the legislation that specifically addressed the employment of minors and included provisions related to their education. It was designed to protect children from being exploited in the workforce and set regulations regarding the minimum age for employment as well as the conditions under which children could work. One of the key aspects of this law was the requirement for children under 14 years old to attend school for at least 6 months before they could be legally employed. This was intended to ensure that children received a basic education and were not prematurely entering the workforce at the expense of their learning and development. The other options focus on different aspects of education or employment regulations. The Compulsory Education Law mandates that children must attend school, but it is broader in nature and does not specifically tie education to employment requirements. The Educational Standards Act relates to the quality and standards of education rather than labor laws. The Employment Act encompasses broader employment regulations but does not specifically center on child labor or education requirements. Thus, the Child Labor Law is the most precise law addressing the conditions under which children can work, particularly regarding their prior educational attendance.