THE ORIGINS OF MASS POPULAR EDUCATION IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY MASSACHUSETTS ARE STUDIED IN TERMS OF THE RELATION BETWEEN REFORMER IDEOLOGY AND STYLE OF REFORM WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF FUNDAMENTAL ALTERATIONS IN THE LIFE CONDITIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS. THREE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS ARE ANALYZED IN DETAIL--(1) ABOLITION OF BEVERLY HIGH SCHOOL IN 1860, (2) ATTACK OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION ON CYRUS PEIRCE, AND (3) CRITICISM OF THE STATE REFORM SCHOOL OFFERED BY SOME OF THE STATE'S LEADING REFORMERS. THE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT EDUCATIONAL REFORM WAS SPONSORED BY A COALITION OF THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL LEADERS OF MASSACHUSETTS, MIDDLE CLASS PARENTS, AND EDUCATORS. A FACTOR ANALYSIS OF RELEVANT VARIABLES IN THE HISTORICAL STUDY IS APPENDED. (HM)