“Yet the problem is that our schools have spread lack of understanding throughout our once-great society.”
No, our schools have purposely propagandized and indoctrinated false information and beliefs in our children, for socialist/progressive change/takeover.
The problem is intentional “dumbing down” of PUBLIC education has been going on for several generations and so ignorance of basic science, history, and all other useful subjects is a case of the teacher pupil relationship becoming the blind leading the blind. I suggested to my daughter that one of her AGW devoted teachers and I have a simple and civil discussion in front of a class, but she feared the consequences to my blood pressure and her grade and didn’t take up the offer.