Final answer:
The Morrill Act of 1862 was an early example of public education reform, facilitating the creation of land-grant colleges to provide accessible higher education, mark a departure from elite Ivy League institutions, and promote social mobility among middle-class and students of color.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Morrill Act of 1862 was an early example of public education reform. Established by Vermont Republican senator Justin Smith Morrill, the act enabled the creation of land-grant colleges funded through federal grants which were largely aimed at offering courses in agricultural and mechanical arts. These land-grant institutions were contrasted with the privately funded Ivy League universities, providing more accessible higher education to middle-class families and later on, under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, to students of color.
The establishment of land-grant colleges played a crucial role in improving social mobility and preparing students for professional careers in various sectors such as business, medicine, law, and agriculture. These reforms paralleled other educational reforms led by figures such as Horace Mann, who aimed to use public education as a means for combating social ills and preparing the nation's youth for their civic duties.
As a result of these higher education initiatives and other reform movements, college enrollment saw a substantial increase, from 50,000 students nationwide in 1870 to over 600,000 by 1920, in part due to the more affordable education provided by these new institutions.