I have read that the original purpose of public schooling, during and after the Industrial Revolution, was to prepare people for a life of factory work.
The ability to conform, meet deadlines, follow the leader, don't ask questions, was prized. Thinking for yourself was unnecessary, and actually detrimental.
They have done that job well.
Be fair.
When you have a classroom of 40 hormonally driven teenagers, you need to have order to do your job.
I have constantly been amazed at the ability of kindergarten teachers to keep up with a classroom of 25 five year olds. I have trouble with just one!
Most of the public school teachers we've had (with one or two exceptions) have been excellent, very professional and dedicated.
The problem that I've seen after volunteering in the classroom is the inexorable pace of school (which is paced to the average student, slower and more advanced students are cheated under this structure).
The Founders understood that education was crucial to the survival of the Republic. There was a great debate in fact about the establishment of a National University that would be a model for the new nation, as it would need to produce and maintain an educated citizenry.
.If you like reading about the history of education try reading some that relates to America instead of England.