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<p>I have to agree that kids were better educated rather than “smarter” in the earlier part of the century. My mother and several aunts and uncles of her generation did not have any formal education past high school but I was always amazed at the poetry and literature they knew and they were all very strong in terms of geography (possibly from having lived in the period encompassing 2 world wars). They all graduated from either public or parochial schools in the late 20’s or 1930’s and they all had a working knowledge of Latin as well.</p>
<p>We always had books of poetry on the shelves at home, as well as a large atlas, a big dictionary, a bible, collected works of Shakespeare and an encyclopedia in addition to popular novels of the day. Any time we had a question we knew how to “look it up”. Both my parents were from working class, immigrant families but they were both pretty well read and I’m sure they would have had no trouble with the 1912 test. From what I can remember, they always said that schools were pretty tough in those days and there was a sink or swim mentality but those who could swim graduated from high school with a solid education. I don’t think we can say that today for most high schools in the USA.</p>