What type of school system existed in Georgia prior to the 20th century?

The correct choice indicates that Georgia operated a common school system prior to the 20th century. This system was characterized by publicly funded schools that aimed to provide basic education to all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status. The common school movement sought to make education more accessible and was instrumental in establishing a framework for public schooling.

Before the 1900s, education in Georgia primarily revolved around local schools supported by taxes, and it often reflected the agrarian lifestyle of the state. These common schools typically focused on teaching essential skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic, catering to a broader segment of the population than exclusive private schools or specialized vocational training systems.

In contrast, the other options, such as specialized vocational training systems or comprehensive metropolitan school districts, did not define the educational landscape of Georgia at that time. A specialized vocational training system, which focuses on preparing students for specific trades, was not a widespread concept until later in the 20th century. An exclusive private school system would imply a significant level of restriction and elitism in education, which was not representative of the overall public education efforts existing during that period. Comprehensive metropolitan school districts, a development of the mid-20th century, also did not characterize the earlier educational structures.