How and why perceptions of public schooling and private schooling have changed from the colonial period to the present are explored. When the U.S. public school system was created in the mid-19th century, it emerged out of the mixed private-public system of education that existed in the early years of the American republic. For nearly a century, the public schools enjoyed a relatively secure place in American culture. Over the long span of time, the schools gradually received nearly all the public tax dollars, and enjoyed broad public and political support. Each generation of Americans from the 19th century to the present has produced its share of public school critics, but until recently most Americans believed that the schools could be reformed. Schools changed radically in the 20th century in response to the modernization of American society. Citizens are angry for many reasons, including the federal government's role in school policy formation and the secularization, centralization, and professionalization of schools. Whether the public schools will be forced to share tax dollars with the private schools and lose their near monopoly may well be determined in the next decade. (RM)