I looked at my original post and saw ample room for misinterpretation
because of what I left out and how poorly I explained that which I did
include. I'd like to clarify two points.

The first is that I wasn't criticizing any of the instructors. I was
expressing frustation at what I assumed to be a U.S. national standard
syllabus or teaching method.

When I described what I called the "I'll tell you what to do but I'm
not going to tell you how to do it" method, I failed to explain that
most of the instruction I've received DID NOT happen that way.
Usually the instructor explains the skill, I shadow the controls while
he does it then I get a shot at it. Sorry for the confusion.