And the school bell rang: A content analysis study of past opposition to compulsory school attendance laws in American public schools

The arguments by select authors during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s to eliminate or amend compulsory school attendance laws were examined using the research methodology of content analysis. The arguments were studied in order to establish their legitimacy. The results indicated that the arguments from the past three decades by select authors to terminate or amend compulsory school attendance laws were illogical because the authors did not present definite and clear plans that could possibly be implemented in American society in replacement of the laws or if the laws were amended. The findings were congruent with the present need in American society to have the laws and to improve the quality of public education.