This curriculum guide, which is a companion guide for a four-part videotape series on the history of the U.S. system of public education, is intended for use by post-secondary faculty in education who wish to infuse into their courses historical and current perspectives on the evolution of U.S. public schools and the impact of public education on U.S. society. The guide outlines the following for each of the four episodes: common or recurring themes, various scholarly perspectives, key topics, and focus questions. The four episodes are: (1) "The Common School (1770-1890)," which provides an overview of U.S. public schools; (2) "As American as Public School (1900-1950)," which investigates issues of assimilation, pluralism, racism, and ethnic tension within public education; (3)"Equality (1950-1980)," which looks at issues of public education and social movements for equality in public education; and (4) "The Bottom Line (1980-present)," which explores the most recent issues in public education. (Contains 60 references.) (SM)