This work investigates how the evolution of American educational systems has mirrored and shaped the broader cultural, political, and social values of the United States throughout its history. Robert Freeman Butts, a prominent historian of education, utilizes a chronological framework to analyze the shifting priorities of schooling from the colonial era to the mid-twentieth century. He argues that education serves as a primary mechanism for transmitting democratic ideals and civic responsibility, while simultaneously reflecting the tensions between individual liberty and social cohesion. By examining legislative shifts and institutional changes, the text provides a comprehensive overview of the American pedagogical landscape.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of civic duty and academic instruction in the American context. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous examination of the historical forces that shaped the modern classroom.