Before the Civil war a policy of free compulsory education had been adopted throughtout the United States? true or false

absolutely, unequivocally false.

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761571494/public_education_in_the_united_states.html

False.

Before the Civil War, a policy of free compulsory education had not been adopted throughout the United States. The concept of free compulsory education was not widespread during that time period. Education was primarily provided by private institutions and was accessible to those who could afford it. Public education as we know it today was not established until much later, with the introduction of the common school movement in the mid-19th century.