Between 1800-1840 literacy rates in the US held roughly around 90% in the Northern states and around 81% in the Southern states (among Whites in the South).(1)  Within the Boston, the schools before 1817 were all private, and nearly 100% of students were enrolled and 96% of all Boston children (across socio-economic statuses) were attending schools, despite no truancy laws, nor any government control. (2)  Apart from this, lobbying groups persisted in Boston and government controlled schools began in the city in 1818.

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