Final answer:
Before the 1920s, education financing in the U.S. focused on increasing primary education access, with reforms emphasizing scholarships and land-grant colleges to expand opportunities. The responsibility for funding lay mainly with state and local governments, with public education provided by the public sector.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the early 1900s, the United States saw significant changes in education financing, particularly the movement towards ensuring primary education for all children and expanding opportunities for higher education. Before this time, many children forgoed an education, limiting their job prospects. The Progressive Era brought about reforms to combat child labor and to emphasize the value of education. These reforms included scholarship programs and the founding of land-grant colleges, such as those created through the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, which made education more accessible to middle-class families.
Education financing prior to the 1920s was mainly the responsibility of state and local governments, with limited federal involvement. Public schools were primarily funded by local property taxes, and attendance could be inconsistent as many children were needed to work to support their families. The use of federal funds to influence state education policy became more pronounced in the early 20th century. Colleges and higher education institutions relied on tuition payments, scholarships, and philanthropic donations from fraternal associations and private benefactors, as federal support was modest compared to later years.
The division of financing education and the provision of education began to gain clarity around this time. Though public education is heavily subsidized, it does not necessarily mean it must be publicly provided. However, in the U.S., publicly funded education became the norm. The growth of higher education was partially supported by the federal government through the Morrill Acts, which also contributed to the establishment of affordable higher education options for non-elite populations.
Reforms in education funding and access continued to evolve throughout the 20th century, culminating in significant federal legislation like the Higher Education Act to further support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is evident that the foundations laid in the early 1900s for education financing have had a lasting impact on the educational landscape of the United States.