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Jeff, because I agree with you, I really have not got a good answer. It makes no sense to me. But the more experience I have now with high schoolers, the more I see it. To me it is like teaching a guy to hit a long tee shot. That is fun. Lots more fun to practice than working on the 3-5 foot putts. It takes both to win.
Lots of HS coaches don't want to throw inside because of the metal bats. It will be interesting to see the changes next season with restricted bats. Often common philosophy is if a guy has a good fastball, the lesser hitter who gets behind on that fastball can around on the change up. So most young kids today have a fastball and learn the curve because they want the movement.
Good for you and the knuckle-curve. It is a great pitch for younger kids because it can/should be thrown like a fastball without harmful rotation on growing arms. I will let my oldest now throw a curve as he reached about 6'2 1/2." With his fast growth, he didn't need to risk injury when the KC was accomplishing the same thing - change of speed and expanding the strike zone. Both have thrown change ups from age 10 but oldest has a harder time with control on that. So a couple of seasons ago we compromised with a split, as Linecum's supposed change up.
As you thankfully know, pitching is not just location and movement but keeping the hitter leaning with the change of speed. The Phillies won the last few years with lots of change up pitchers. Lost art in the age of power but power doesn't always win. Ask Cleto. A great fastball can be nullified if the secondary pitches are weak.
I guess my answer? I don't want to sound negative or like I have some answers (I know far better that I don't) but there is a lot of bad coaching and kids (add the parents to this list) wanting too much too fast.
Should anyone with sense buy a car that could go fast in Drive but had no Reverse? Both are needed to get to where you want to go.
And thanks for all the work you put in this. Tons of pressure this month for extra degree and this is a nice outlet!  Thanks!