Final answer:
The antebellum education reformers aimed to solve the problems of access to education for all social classes and outdated curriculum and teaching methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The antebellum education reformers were trying to solve multiple problems with the education system. One of the main problems they aimed to address was the lack of access to education for all social classes. Before the 1820s, education was limited and often only available to the wealthy or urban poor who could attend private schools. Reformers believed that education was essential for maintaining a democracy and preparing youth for social and civic duties as adults. They advocated for the establishment of public schools that would be accessible to all, regardless of social class.
Another problem that education reformers sought to solve was the presence of outdated curriculum and teaching methods. They believed that the education system needed to evolve to meet the changing needs of society and better prepare students for the future. The use of McGuffey's Readers, for example, incorporated moral lessons alongside academic subjects to instill virtues in students.