Focusing on Massachusetts as a case study, this research relates 19th century schooling patterns to social change. Indices of social change included schooling differences in rural and urban areas, industrial and economic development, school community relationship, and family life. The document contains 10 chapters; each chapter is based on both statistical and literary sources. Chapter I introduces the research, discusses the revisionist nature of recent educational history, and explains why Massachusetts was selected as a case study. Chapter II characterizes common schooling and enrollment levels prior to 1840. Chapter III examines school attendance trends from 1840-80. Chapter IV assesses rural urban schooling differences. Chapter V discusses the politics of educational reform in mid-nineteenth century Massachusetts. Chapter VI examines relationships among parents, students, and the schools. Chapter VII considers pressures which encouraged students to leave school and work in the factories. Chapters VIII and IX present case studies of a typical rural school system (Boxford) and an urban school system (Lynn). The final chapter summarizes research findings. General conclusions are that educational development was strongly related to demographic and economic trends; organized differently in rural and urban areas; and responsible for constantly increasing roles in childrens' lives. (Author/DB)