1. Promote religious literacy: They believed that every individual had the responsibility to read and understand the Bible.
2. Ensure spiritual well-being: Education was seen as a means to gain knowledge and understanding of God and the scriptures, which was essential for spiritual salvation.
Pragmatic reasons:
1. Practical skills: Education provided practical skills such as reading, writing, and numeracy, which were necessary for everyday life and economic activities in the new colony.
2. Civic participation: Education was crucial for preparing individuals to participate in civic life, including voting and holding public office.
3. Economic prosperity: A well-educated population was seen as essential for the economic success and growth of the colony.
Cultural considerations:
1. Intellectual pursuit: Valuing education was a reflection of the intellectual and scholarly traditions of the early New England settlers, many of whom were university-educated.
2. Cultural transmission: Education was seen as a way to preserve and transmit cultural values, customs, and knowledge from one generation to the next.
In summary, the New England colonists highly valued education for religious, practical, civic, and cultural reasons, which collectively shaped the foundation of the education system in the region and influenced the development of American education more broadly.