Almost 90% of all American children now receive their first 12 years of education in public schools. Most enter these schools at the age of 6 and stay when they are about 18. Then they may choose to take a job --71. and to enter one of America's public, or private universities. During --72. these first 12 years, their teachers will have a major influence on the lives of most of these youngsters. Teaching is never been of America's --73. highest paid jobs, but it always has been considered one of its most important professions. And it has been one of its most popular, esp. among American woman. --74. Perhaps, because teaching is so important, Americans have always kept close control over the way teachers do their job. During the 18th century, this control was held mainly by church leaders. These leaders helped decide who could teach and what should be taught in colonial schools. Teachers were not expected for the skill to keep order. But they were --75. expected to have strong religious belief and to develop these beliefs --76. in their student. The close relation between churches and schools --77. began change after the American Constitution was written in 1787. The --78. Constitution stated that the church could not influence the way a country --79. was governed. That meant that public school employers --80. no longer had to hold certain religious beliefs to get a job.