Final answer:
Industrialization increased the demand for literate and skilled workers, leading to the expansion of public education to equip individuals with the necessary skills for industrial jobs, promoting social mobility and accommodating the labor needs of an industrial economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Industrialization played a critical role in the development of public education systems in the 19th century. The transformation of societies required an increasingly literate and skilled workforce. As a result, public education expanded to ensure that individuals would possess the necessary literacies and competencies to participate effectively in an industrialized workforce. Progressive educational reforms sought to elevate the social mobility of children from all social classes by providing knowledge and skills relevant to the needs of the times.
Public school enrollment surged as families saw the value of education in securing middle-class status and children no longer had to work to support their families, thereby allowing them to continue their studies. In particular, the need for literate workers who could handle the demands of emerging industries was a key driver in the growth of education. The shift toward a more specialized labor force meant that children needed formal schooling to gain the skills necessary for such jobs.
Vocational education movements and land-grant colleges further highlighted the emphasis on preparing students for the demands of the industrial economy, transitioning from agrarian-based curriculums to those focusing on technical and business-oriented skills. This educational expansion was crucial for the development of a skilled workforce that could meet the complex demands of the industrialized world.