By Dane Smith & Jennifer Godinez

Once upon a time, many Americans seriously believed that not everybody needed to learn how to read, or attend school, or advance very far toward a formal education.
In the 19th century, this actually was our public policy with regard to girls and racial minorities of both sexes.
This foolish and oppressive exclusion applied in various forms and at various levels to almost everybody who did not belong to the “white Anglo-Saxon protestant” male oligarchy.
Well into the 20th century, it was a common belief that not everybody really needed to attend high school. Until very recently, there were those who thought it unnecessary for everybody to finish high school. We have made progress and have much to celebrate, but we also have a ton of work to do.