Your citing of selective facts concerning the roots of public education aside...
So it is safe to say the purpose of public education routinely changes to suit the political whims of the day.
Today the pop culture wants God dead in every respect, so don't dare mention the words "God", "Creator", "religon" or "Jesus" in a public school building. Don't you know we are attempting to brainwash our children into being godless "scientists".
Of course mentioning "Mother Earth" is perfectly acceptable, in fact it is encouraged as long as it is mentioned along with the words "biological diversity" and protecting the environment from evil "capitalists" and "coorporate monsters".