Education

The need for an educated society was realized by the Puritans before the United States won its independence from British rule. The Roxbury Latin School was begun in 1635 as the Puritans were afraid their children wouldn’t receive the proper education by only following their established biblical way of life.

As time moved on, especially following the battle for independence, other leaders began recognizing that for the people of a new country to succeed and progress they would need an education. One-room schools holding children of all ages were opened with what was termed school ma’ams, typically widows without children of their own, as teachers.

Most were dedicated to their charges and it wasn’t uncommon for them to interfere in a child’s home life as well as their education. It quickly became obvious that those with an education were realizing a better quality of life than those who bypassed that opportunity.  Better educational venues were started when age groups began to separate into grammar school, middle school, or junior high as they were later called, and high school. Initially, however, most schooling stopped after the eighth grade.

Only the wealthiest and those called gifted, received a college education and most learning was accomplished on the job or through an apprenticeship offering by someone skilled in a particular trade. Apprenticeships still exist today, commonly referred to as internships, and the quality of the education as well the quality of living is better as a result of students’ willingness to learn.

A college education is considered almost a necessity today and colleges use the wages paid to a college graduate compared to those of someone without a degree to entice students to attend their particular school. Regardless of the trade or occupation, a better quality of life is the result of a better education.