the study of Reading in grade schools

We had some people over the other night and as usual I got my mouth agoing well any way I was thinking the difference in the Modern schools. When I was in grade school, we had Emglish. History, Penmanship,etc inGrade slchools but we did not a special reading course where they get the students to mouth the words but without any meaning as what they read, I mean mouthing the words. I have a couple of Old Mcguffy books back from 1880 and what they ask of the 2nd and 3rd grade would make the so call Middle School look like dummies. They ask the why and where for etc questions about the artcle that they read. I wonder is that want is wrong with our adults that allow themselves to back candidates for the wrong reasons. The adults today do not understand what is going on. It is strange that we can not ask children to learn to think and to accept Responsibity as we might hurt their feelins or that maybe should act and do as young adults. Don