FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which state passed the first compulsory education law?

1. Virginia

2. Massachusetts

3. Pennsylvania

4. New York

The correct answer is: Massachusetts

Massachusetts is recognized for passing the first compulsory education law in the United States in 1852. This groundbreaking legislation mandated that children between the ages of 8 and 14 attend school for a certain number of weeks each year. The law was a significant milestone in the history of education, reflecting the growing belief in the importance of education for all children and setting a precedent for future laws in other states. Massachusetts' early legislation paved the way for compulsory education in the following decades, highlighting the state's commitment to educational reform and access to schooling. This law not only aimed to educate children but also sought to promote civic responsibility and social order by ensuring that children received a basic education, which was seen as essential for a functioning democracy. In contrast, while Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York have had important developments in education and implemented various educational reforms over time, they did not initiate the first compulsory education law. Therefore, Massachusetts stands out as the state that first established such a requirement.