Public Education
Reform #4 from the 16th century.
Public Education Available for All In Luther’s time, education was not for the common person. There were two classes, the learned and the unlearned. With the reformation and reorganization of the church, the educational system was also reorganized. As early as 1520 ( Address to the Christian Nobility ), Luther proposed that education should be for everyone, including the poor and girls. It was no longer only for the rich or for those going into the ministry or law. Luther saw that educated leaders and citizens, clergy and laity were essential for society to function. Education and the ability to read books were a way to learn of Christ . Books became a means of evangelism. One must be educated in order to read them however. Public schools did not originate here in America, but are something we can give thanks for from the 16th century reformers. picture