The myth at education has evolved as America has. The myth has reflected a changing society and has met different needs at different times. Before the independence of the country, education was view skeptically. Those who sought the colonies did so for relief from religious oppression and once established in the new world, they used education to reinforce moral and religious lessons. As the country grew so did the role of education.

             The first major shift in the role of education came after the Revolutionary War. Soon after our government formed, the leaders of the country, such as Thomas Jefferson, realized the necessity of education for the people of the new state. Government by the people made education of the people vital. "The goal of schooling became the creation of uniformly loyal, patriotic Americans" (Colombo 55). During those early years education began to carry with it the hope and promise that a penniless boy could become and educated, influential man. .

             As the gears of the country developed during the Industrial Revolution another change in education occurred. During this period, education "tracks" were developed. These tracks offered different types of education to different groups of people. Students were placed in tracks based on socio-economic characteristics and natural abilities. Hope still existed for the penniless boy, but now society was beginning to put barriers up against his self-improvement via education (Colombo 56). .

             Today, Americans continue to believe the myth that education is a path to self-improvement, and that it is a path available to and wide enough for any who choose to take it. This idyllic picture is not one based entirely in reality. Since the Industrial Revolution, barriers in addition to "tracks" have been put into place. Exceptions do occur and penniless boy do still achieve great things due to education, but the myth is far from reality.