What was the main reason colonies' to mandate that children learn to read

To teach children Puritan virtues or common values and how to read the Bible.

Explanation:

After the settling of English colonists. The English people decided that it is best to train their children with education.

They started with the establishment of primary schools in the present-day state of Massachusetts.

During this period, the main reason colonies' mandate that children learn to read is "to teach children Puritan virtues or common values and how to read the Bible."

the group i'm selecting: greeks.

a first group of greek immigrants came to the us in the 1850s. the second group came to america starting in the 1890s due to economic opportunities they didn't have back in their home caused by the hardships of ottoman rule. greek immigration was 90% male, many of them expected to work and return to greece after earning enough capital, but ultimately had to remain in the us after the greek genocide.

the answer to your question is true