* Increased funding: While still far from adequate, states began to allocate more public funds to education, often through property taxes. This allowed for the expansion of public schools and the payment of teacher salaries.
* Expansion of public schools: The number of public elementary schools increased significantly, making education more accessible, particularly for poorer children. However, secondary education remained largely private and unavailable to many.
* Establishment of state boards of education: Many states created state-level agencies to oversee and standardize education, leading to some degree of curriculum development and teacher training. This helped to improve the quality and consistency of instruction.
* Teacher training: While still in its nascent stages, efforts were made to improve teacher training through the establishment of normal schools (teacher training colleges). This helped raise the professional standards of teaching, though many teachers remained untrained.
* Mandatory attendance laws: Some states began to enact laws requiring school attendance, although enforcement was often weak and the laws themselves were limited in scope, usually only applying to children of a certain age range for a limited number of days per year.
It's crucial to understand that despite these advancements, access to quality education in 1850 was still highly unequal. Many states, particularly in the South, lagged behind in terms of funding and access. Furthermore, opportunities for girls and children of color were significantly limited compared to white boys. The advancements made were a starting point rather than a complete solution to the issue of widespread access to education.