Which statement best explains why the public school system created during Reconstruction was both a success and a failure?

It allowed all southern children to get an education, but segregation made it expensive.

It allowed all southern children to get an education, but many white children did not attend segregated schools.

It encouraged racial understanding, but girls were not allowed to attend the schools.

It encouraged racial understanding, but widespread corruption made it too expensive.

The correct answer is: "It allowed all southern children to get an education, but segregation made it expensive."

The Southern states before the Civil War counted with a comprehensive education system, but only for white children. Subsequently, the foundation of public schools in theses state took place during the Reconstruction era. It was a sucess because the right to education started to be provided in a public and universal manner. Every children could have access to education.

The failure is related to the implementation of a public but segregated educational system under the principle "separate but equal". Such a system, apart from the discriminatory and racist implications, was more costly as every facility had to be duplicated.