* Common Schools: Creating publicly funded schools accessible to everyone, replacing the existing system of private and often religiously affiliated schools which favored the wealthy.
* Tax-supported Schools: Securing public funding through taxes to support the construction and operation of schools.
* Standardized Curriculum: Developing a common curriculum to ensure that all students received a basic level of education in core subjects.
* Teacher Training: Establishing teacher training programs to ensure a qualified and consistent teaching force.
* Universal Access: Making schools accessible to all children, regardless of their background or location, often involving initiatives to build schools in rural areas.
* Compulsory Attendance: Enacting laws requiring children to attend school, making education mandatory.
While the specific methods and priorities varied across time and location, these broad aims formed the core of the public school movement's efforts. It's important to note that the movement's ideals were not always realized equitably in practice, with significant disparities persisting based on race, class, and geography.