Is America turning into a nation of dunces?

I think it's worse than that... we're turning into a nation of people without civility. I'm going to be very "open minded" regarding how much someone knows/doesn't know about government process... even history, because I can see where/how these subjects get shoved down pretty low on the list of "educational" priorities. Where I DO get red around the ears is how quick many are to suggest "answers"... even radical ones... when they've not taken much time to fully comprehend the implications.

I am not sure about dunces, but we as a society and our education system do not put much emphasis on teaching government and how it works. Plus the younger generation in general is tied to their phones. If you put some sort of requirement that they must pass government or lose their phones I bet you would see an up tick. But we also have a part of our educational group who push and preach an agenda and not actual knowledge as well, They are trying to tell our younger generation what to think instead of how to think. Some parents counter act this by actually teaching their children how to think for themselves and feed their curiosity.

I believe it is a matter of the child being raised to be inquisitive. Our daughter in her third year of high school also started college. She got her high school diploma and a BS degree on the same day. She was inquisitive and intelligent. And, I believe that inquisitiveness is taught by the parents.
IMO, if a child wants a good education, it is available in most states. But that child must be encouraged at home.