[Kenton]

Well, to be painfully honest about it, most weren't. If you couldn't afford a tutor for your children, most never learned to read.

No doubt some parents taught their children such things as the 3 R's, if they could read. Some Indian children were taught by missionaries.

It was publicly-supported education that made America literate.

Unfortunately, they don't do that in public schools very much anymore.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

It was publicly-supported education that made America literate

America was a highly literate nation long before the advent of public education.

I would assume today that if we eliminated public education today that all parents who truly cared about their children would take responsibility for their education. Why should I have to take responsibility for any else's?

[bd476]

"Well, to be painfully honest about it, most weren't. If you couldn't afford a tutor for your children, most never learned to read."

What about Abraham Lincoln?