The underlying cause that led to the pass laws in the late 1800s requiring children to attend school was the recognition of the importance of education for social and economic development. During this time, there was a growing understanding that education was crucial for preparing individuals for the industrialized workforce and for creating a more educated citizenry. Additionally, there was a belief that education could be a means to assimilate and Americanize immigrant populations. As a result, lawmakers enacted compulsory education laws to ensure that all children, regardless of their social or economic background, were receiving an education.
