This article reviews the most significant advances in research into the history of education in Colombia. It is structured around the theoretical and methodological ideas that have influenced approaches to the subject. Three broad groups are identified. Episodic and apologetic history is the name given to the earliest writings, which tended to be highly descriptive. This group is most appreciated for the abundance of data produced, which are useful as documentary sources. The second group, denominated social history, is very much influenced by Marxist theory and by the Mew History. Its most important contribution has been an integrated view of education and a shift towards the intellectual terrain of general historians. The third group, denominated history of pedagogical practices, emerged from the struggle of the teaching profession to defend its professional status. Inspired by the ideas of Foucault, it concerns itself with the identification of pedagogy as afield of knowledge and with the links between pedagogy and power.