What important education act passed in 1917 focused on vocational education, including agriculture?

The Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act, passed in 1917, was pivotal in promoting vocational education in the United States, specifically targeting areas such as agriculture, trades, and home economics. This act provided federal funding to support vocational education programs in public schools, aiming to enhance the skills and knowledge of students in practical fields. By establishing a framework for vocational training, the act recognized the importance of equipping young individuals with the skills necessary for the workforce, particularly in sectors that were crucial to the economy, such as agriculture.

Other mentioned acts, while significant in their own right, focus on different areas. The Morrill Act, for instance, facilitated the establishment of land-grant universities, which expanded access to agricultural education but did not specifically target vocational training. The GI Bill is a post-World War II program that provided education benefits to veterans, and the Land-Grant Act served to fund educational institutions that focused on agriculture and mechanic arts but predated the vocational emphasis established by the Smith-Hughes Act. Therefore, the Smith-Hughes Act stands out for its direct focus on vocational education initiatives, making it the correct response to the question.