I understand that the electoral college in america was made because at the time most people didn't really have any education besides the founding fathers so it was created to keep the power of government in the hands of the educated. So what was the colonial american education system like?

by CptSnowcone

To be a little bit more precise, what was the level of education for the average american adult? how has this progressed to the point it's at today?

lightsareonbut

I'm not sure about any other colonies, but Massachusetts established Harvard University in 1636, and compulsory education in 1642. All children were required to learn reading and writing, the laws and government of the colony, and of course, religion. But the Act said nothing about establishing actual schools. It just said that children had to know these things. Five years later, in 1647, another Act was passed requiring actual schools, due to perceived parental negligence in teaching them.