History of education in the United States

The origins, development, and nature of the institutions and other forms of learning in the United States are closely intertwined with the overall historical development of American society at each period in its history. Three main phases of this development can be distinguished with the usual caveat that there is no sharp delineating boundary between successive phases.

In the Colonial period, in keeping with the intellectual inheritance of the Protestant Reformation, education at all levels was closely linked to the church. The teaching of basic literacy skills was undertaken on a wide front so that the inidivdual Christian would be able to read for himself the Bible and other Christian works. The inculcation of a good Christian character was the central purpose of the enterprise. The qintessential text for young children during this period was the New England Primer which conbined basic instruction for beginning readers with Church service material and a catechism.