Xu Xusheng's educational thoughts, based on philosophy, were grounded in reality. His "research-oriented" and "turning to nature" educational thoughts were guided by his world outlook, scientific and moral values, and "rural education" was the inevitable choice of the former two under the practical economic situation. The three perspectives, depending on and complementing each other, integrated science education, civilian education, and production education, reflecting Xu Xusheng's strong aspiration to strive for national independence and transform society through education. A profound analysis of the connotation of Xu Xusheng's educational thought is conducive to promoting the importance of social survey in education reforms, avoiding conscientiously the problem of academic misconduct, and then forming a sense of action in pursuing truth and exploring world life. In the context of a diversified society, Xu Xusheng's educational thoughts also enlighten us to deepen educational and social reforms based on ourselves and reality.