American Education's Downfall

A major downfall of our education system, as far as I've been involved with it, is this: From the time we start writing papers and finding data to support our claims, the problem is just that - we try to find data to support our claims, instead of basing our claims off of data. Ideally, there would be time to examine various information thoroughly, and come to a conclusion from the info. Realistically, our education system usually requires us to come up with a thesis first, and then find random facts and somewhat questionable studies to support our pre-formed thesis. There isn't time to read up on stuff. Its much faster to establish a claim, and then find a conglomeration of facts, theories, suppositions, etc to act as "support" - however sketchy and unreliable that is.
So this is the negative aspect. But do you realize whats even worse than this? It's worse, and affects so much more, that we ground our personal ideas, beliefs, etc off of the accumulation of this so-called knowledge. We get so used to this practice, that we aren't as critical as we should be about sources, and accept whatever is easiest and fastest and most accessible. Whatever comes up on the first google search, if you will. Yes, this is extreme, and perhaps exaggerated, but at the same time, its all too often true. I see it in myself, in my own habits as a student. In the paper I'm writing right now, actually. Great!