its been this way for decades. it is an adjunct of some of the philosophies that maybe you are in favor of. the state has no trouble telling people they own their children. what we need are more "normal" people taking a stand at this undue control, people besides religious and political fringes and such. we didnt mind when the state ate those people for lunch but when our turn comes its different.
nothing ever changes.
i suggest doing what the system does - taking charge of the childs education early and molding that child via their activities. in a world of "putting forth effort is optional", your children will soon overtake their peers and have a greater command of themselves than the others. teach them how to learn and let them educate themselves. let them run with what they like. they will pick up the basics as more tools to learning.