Spelling!

People, what is going on with education in this country? Not today, but for the last fifty years or so? Why do I ask? Because in the last week I have been approached by people ranging in age from 19 to approximately mid 50's to give them correct spellings of words (a small part of my job). Words such as:
Friend
Host
Please
Person
Room.

I shudder to think about the many words they are clearly not asking for spelling help with.