Well, yes....you are 58 years old......and I agree Parents are a very big part of success in a childs education, which is WHY HOMESCHOOLERS usually are very successful, because they are VERY involved. I have various relatives who are in public schools....getting straight A's.....whose spelling is atrocious, and who are rewarded for their mediocrity....I'm not impressed with Public Schools for a reason.....I also was the CHAIR/Member of a large Community College Board.....and know how much REMEDIAL education the community colleges are doing.....public education is being sidetracked by socialism and diversity....NOT IN TOTAL, but enough to make it a different "cookie" than when you and I went to public schools.
My children graduated 9 and 4 yrs ago and I saw little difference in the teaching from the Public School (admittedly one of the best) and the Lutheran school in terms of content.
While Mr. Gradgrind and our teachers might have become upset with poor spelling its acceptance does not mean the collapse of Western Civilization. Now such concerns are not as great given the spellchecker and such.