Cream rises. Those who are literate and can think for themselves will eventually rise to the positions of influence and power.
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Only in an objective society. Those who are literate today will be accused of being privileged or of trying to act as though they were. Thinking for oneself is not appreciated. In some respects, it never has been and my experiences go back to 1948.
The nail that sticks up will be pounded down and positions of influence and power will be allocated according to whatever the PTB decide is in their own best interests.
However, the literate who think for themselves and who have the ability to create may still be able to find a niche in which they can excel past any societal barriers. It will not be easy. Once they arrive at some degree of success, they will also have to contend with the jealous conformists, whose power is derived from the consensus.
I admire competent homeschoolers. I observe that such parents are today targets of the totalitarians and I believe that is why they are usually very careful to demand only excellence from the children. Still, the system will go to lengths to make life difficult for the non-conforming. Perhaps it is overcoming or, at least, surviving this system that is the real achievement.
This is not meant to start an argument. I believe one must be as objective as possible in an authoritarian environment and not allow enthusiasm to cloud ones conclusions. It is horrible to have to choose between educating your child to their fullest potential and beyond or to face the bureaucratic wrath of the herd.
“Bureaucratic wrath of the heard” is an excellent phrase that you have coined. But the American people don’t understand it.