History, Education, and the Schools

In his latest investigation of how history helps illuminate contemporary concerns about the nature and character of America's schools, William Reese explores the rise of public schools in the nineteenth century, the evolution of private school alternatives, and ongoing debates about modern schooling and reform. Americans have long invested considerable time, energy, and emotion in their schools, both private and public, and Reese's historical overview helps explain why.

William J. Reese is Professor of Educational Policy Studies, History, and European Studies, the University of Wisconsin-Madison.