History of American Public Schools: Why They Were Started and Funded Public education in the United States has deep roots, reflecting both evolving societal values and a commitment to the idea that education should be accessible to all. The journey from informal instruction to a standardized public school system began in the early colonial period, expanded during the 19th century, and evolved into the system we know today. Early Beginnings In the 1600s, American colonists largely focused on religious education, seeing it as essential to raising pious, God-fearing citizens. The Massachusetts Bay Colony, in 1647, passed the Old Deluder Satan Law , which mandated that any town with 50 or more families hire a teacher. This law is often considered the first step toward compulsory education in the U.S. The motivation behind these early schools was primarily to ensure that children could read the Bible, which was seen as a defense against ignorance and sin. Shifting Toward a Secular Education...
