* Compulsory Education Laws: This is the most significant reason. Many states and countries began enacting compulsory education laws during this period, requiring children to attend school until a certain age (often 12-14). These laws provided legal enforcement and penalties for non-compliance.
* Industrialization and Urbanization: Industrial societies needed a more literate and skilled workforce. Factories and businesses required employees with basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. Urbanization concentrated populations, making it easier to build and maintain schools.
* Progressive Era Reforms: The Progressive Era (roughly 1890s-1920s) saw a focus on social reform and improving society. Education was seen as a crucial tool for social mobility and progress, leading to increased investment in public schools and teacher training.
* Improved Schooling: Schools themselves were improving. Curricula became more standardized and focused on basic skills, making education more appealing and effective. The availability of public schools increased, particularly in rural areas. Teacher training improved, leading to better instruction.
* Decreased Child Labor: While child labor remained a significant problem, efforts to restrict it gained momentum in the late 19th century. Laws limiting or banning child labor in factories and mines freed up children to attend school. However, it's important to note that this was a gradual process and child labor remained widespread in some areas.
* Changing Social Attitudes: There was a growing belief that education was important for individual success and national progress. This shift in societal attitudes contributed to increased parental support for schooling.
It's crucial to remember that despite the increase in school attendance, significant disparities remained. Access to education was still unevenly distributed based on factors like race, class, gender, and geography. Many children, particularly from poor families or minority groups, still did not attend school regularly or for a full term.