FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What was the first compulsory law about regarding education in Massachusetts?

1. Establishment of public schools

2. Parental responsibility for children's education

3. Attendance requirement for children

4. Funding for private schools

The correct answer is: Parental responsibility for children's education

The first compulsory law regarding education in Massachusetts primarily focused on parental responsibility for children's education. This law, enacted in the early 17th century, made it clear that parents were obligated to ensure that their children received an education. This was a significant development in the history of education in the United States, as it set the precedent for the state's role in mandating education and established the expectation that parents are responsible for the schooling of their children. While the establishment of public schools and attendance requirements for children were important developments in education that followed, the initial emphasis was on parental responsibility. In this context, the law recognized the importance of family involvement in the educational process. Funding for private schools is less relevant to the initial compulsory education laws, which were primarily concerned with ensuring that children received some level of basic education rather than focusing on where that education should take place.