Since the founding of this country, a system of public education has been closely linked to a healthy democracy. Early political leaders, such as Washington and Jefferson, stressed the importance of a public education system to ensure the newly formed representative government would survive. They saw schools as a key component to creating citizens who knew their rights and responsibilities. George Washington stressed in the very fi rst State of the Union address that educational institutions must teach citizens “to value their own rights” and to protect themselves against those who would infringe upon them (Washington, 1790/1966, p. 3). Jefferson was an advocate of public education both before and after his presidency and he too felt that a system of public education was necessary to:

These beliefs led Jefferson to propose a full system of public education to the Virginia Legislature in 1779. In the bill, which did not pass, Jefferson argued that the main aim of free public education was to prevent tyranny and ensure the development and stability of the new democracy. Since the beginning of this country, public schools have served in the development and maintenance of democracy by educating future citizens who are capable of making wise political decisions about representatives and policy issues and are able to know and defend their rights and liberties.