The medieval school came into existence after the fifth century to satisfy ecclesiastical demands for a minimum amount of literacy and scientific knowledge whereby young priests could learn to carry out priestly functions in the Church. During the course of the Middle Ages, the medieval school gradually changed its structure and function until the basis for modern education was laid. A number of elements appear in medieval education which have also appeared in traditional Jewish, Koranic, and Indian education--attention on oral learning and recitation, a mixing of age groups and a lack of gradation, and an emphasis on debate and argumentation. One important difference that emerges in medieval education versus modern education is the absence of the idea of childhood. Yet there is also, through time, an increasing interest in differentiation and separation, which led to 16th and 17th century notions of childhood, differentiation among age groups, gradation in subject matter, and in the classroom itself. This move toward distinguishing and separating laid the foundation of the modern system of education. The document illustrates these themes through two historical overviews emphasizing: (1) the ideals of the monastic schools; and (2) the development of the medieval university. (IS)