It is funny that the Ed Schools across the country talk about the bad ole days when desks were set up in ranks and files and even bolted to the floor! We're so enlightened today with our "centers", group work arrangements, and bean bag chairs.
But of course in those old orderly days, students learned more at less cost-per-student.
Yes, I left public high school with two years of Latin, a thorough knowledge of English, chemnistry, physics, American and world history. I could spell and write complete sentences. I expected to work.