Among the significant figures in the history of the American educational system, few have had as much ideological and practical influence as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Horace Mann, John Dewy, and Johann Pestolazzi. Each altered the course of American education to such a degree that the developments made during and after the lifetime of each of these figures are practically manifested in today's educational environment. In some cases, as in Franklin's case, much of his contribution was practical, with the creation of public libraries and an emphasis on self-education. Others, like Dewy, were ideological pioneers who changed educational methods. The role of politics in American education can never be overlooked; The regulation of education and the presence of patriotic/nationalist agendas in curricula are still issues we face today, those who played a significant role in creating the current system also influence the fundamental goals and outcomes of that system. Benjamin Franklin is heralded as one of America's greatest philosophers as well as one of the most influential figures in American history. His fundamental desire for education and self-improvement would set an example for others to follow, as well as establish a model for the educated American. He was also a major proponent of schools both as an ideological tool for indoctrinating members of other religions and as a method for the assimilation of other races and cultures into the white Anglo model. We are still struggling as a culture to undo the influence of those who followed this model. Practices of exclusion, segregation, racism and exploitation were typical of the early American education model. Franklin notes, "Why increase the Sons of Africa, planting them here in America, where we have so fair an opportunity, excluding all the blacks and fawns, and increasing the fair whites..." This statement is somewhat loaded with meaning in how apparently anti-slavery, but for the wrong reasons. It places an obvious racial value judgment on blacks as intellectually inferior. The racist tendencies of his philosophy were not, however, the most important parts of Franklin's educational development. His creation of public libraries is probably the greatest achievement and boon to… the paper medium… the mothering method of education. While the economic benefits may have influenced her advocacy for women as natural teachers (they were paid a third more at the time), they brought the education system to a level of equality not seen in other careers. John Dewey's teacher education developments combine with Jefferson's to form the modern requirements for teaching certification. While all of these figures have been extremely influential, the state of the American education system is far from stable. The reason these figures are the most influential is that their concerns and actions underlie all current issues in today's education system. The role of education is still something we struggle to define, as is the nature of education. Is the role of a state to control opinions and ideologies through education, or are we truly a free nation? With the growth of the Internet and other forms of free information, we are approaching a time when we will truly have to decide what knowledge is, what education is needed, and what the role of school is in modern culture. Works Cited Primavera, Joel. “The American school”. New York, McGraw Hill (2001).