Public schools and education in the USA has a shady past almost NO one is aware of, mainly as no one is taught to research or look at old books (only what the internet tells us) There was a time in 1860's in usa when they had to use the federal armies to force children into the new public school systems. The more our 'past' gets digitized and the books of old are gone, the 'remaking' of history shall be easier and easier, so sad.
I was home schooled and by a tutor and when my parents or tutor didn't know the thing (drawing, music) we simply had in a student in that field at university level tutor me. It was a good way to learn but not a very common one today, I lived a pretty Victorian sort of childhood.
We can always keep learning too, thanks for reminding of this odd situation in education @honeydue