From 1800 to 1840, literacy rates in North increased from 75 percent to between 91 and 97 percent. In South, white literacy rate grew from about 50 to 60 percent, to 81 percent (it was illegal to teach blacks to read). By 1850, literacy rates in Massachusetts and other New England states, for both men and women, was close to 97 percent. This was before Massachusetts created first compulsory public-school system in America in 1852 (of course, these literacy numbers did not apply to black slaves since many colonies had laws that forbid teaching slaves to read).

Ever since first public schools were established in Massachusetts in 1852, and made compulsory in most of states by 1890's, literacy among adults and children has been deteriorating. As I noted in a previous article, today literacy rate for students in our public schools ranges from 30 percent to 70 percent. Compare that literacy horror statistic to over 90 percent literacy rate for average child, man, and woman by 1852.

The question to naturally ask is this: if our kids learned to read far better when we had an education free-market before public schools came along, why on Earth do we need public schools now? The answer is, we don't. Parents should take advantage of quality, low-cost, free-market education alternatives they have right now that I explore in my book, "Public Schools, Public Menace."

These statistics should be a warning signal for parents, a red flag waving briskly in wind. If your children's teachers are sending their children to private schools, should you be keeping your kids in public school? If soldier-teachers in public-school trenches tell you that there is something very wrong with these schools, you should, for once, be listening to them.

Actions speak louder than words. The fact that so many public-school teachers send their kids to private schools should be all proof you need that it might be wise for you to look for education alternatives for your kids elsewhere.

If you think you can't afford an expensive private school, you're happily mistaken. Joel Turtel's book, "Public School's, Public Menace" tells parents all about quality, low-cost Internet private schools. These private schools are a great new resource for giving your children an excellent education at an affordable price.

Article Copyrighted © 2005 by Joel Turtel.