Why does America have public schools?

Most of us assume the answer is obvious: to teach kids how to read, write, and do math. But the story is much bigger than that.

In the premiere episode of Public School Kids, host Erika Peterman explores the origins and purpose of public education in America. Along the way, she shares the story of her father growing up in Conrad, Montana, and reflects on how schools help create the communities that shape us.

With historian Johann Neem as our guide, we travel back to the founding of the United States, when a new nation faced a fundamental question: How do you prepare ordinary people to govern themselves?

The answer helped create one of America's most important institutions: the public school.

Plus, meet recurring contributor Chrysti the Wordsmith, who explores the history ...