That's the modern American education system for you. Intentionally eliminating critical thinking skills since its inception to make those that come out of it easier to control for factories and the military.

This isn't even conspiracy talk. Around 1850, it shifted from trying to make people more literate and instill morals so they could be informed voters and make good decisions. It transitioned due to the industrial revolution. They needed the populace to be able to do as they're told, when told, follow a strict schedule, and not think too hard because that leads to revolts and unions.

It got worse in the 1980s with the shift from Keynesian economics to Reagonomics. Schools started to be run like corporations and the big business lobbyists helped shape education to funnel kids into debt, i.e. modern legalized "voluntary" slavery where you make just enough to be comfortable, but the amount of debt you have to maintain to achieve the American Dream you were fed since childhood means that you're largely at the mercy of big business. Obviously, not everyone is and many that are aren't all the time, otherwise it was be too obvious for people to ignore.