Why do we have to go to school?

When I was a kid, I struggled a little bit through some of my elementary grades.

But in fifth grade, I had a great teacher who helped me learn to enjoy school, and I mostly loved it after that.

You may have a different relationship to school, but in most countries it's the law that kids have to go.

Let's find out why.

Almost all countries require kids to go to school, so that you can learn skills to help you function in the world as an adult.

Things like reading, writing, and math, and the ability to use critical thinking and make hard decisions.

School is also a good place to learn how to play well with others.

Here in the United States, the first state to pass a law for mandatory or required school attendance was Massachusetts.

Back in 1852.

Mississippi was the last state to require it.

In 1918.

U.S. law basically requires all kids in the country to be able to get an elementary and high school education for free, regardless of how much money your family has.

But that doesn't mean school doesn't cost money.

Adult pay for schools through taxes, and while many adults dislike paying taxes, most agree that educating kids is really important.

So regardless of how you feel about school, it's something you share with almost every other kid in the whole world.

And many fish.

What?

Oh, that's not what school of fish means?

Oh, never mind.