This is one reason why the Common Core math standards include a healthy amount of statistics. The information age puts a premium on statistical analysis, but our K-12 education covered little since it wasn't as critical 50 years ago. A generation from now statistics should be as routine as algebra is today - that is not everyone is fluent in its practice, but people will recognize basic terms.
I graduated high school in 2005 and statistics was barely covered at all in any math class I took. It was only offered as an elective class and I don't even think it was a full credit. In fact, the school district only required three credits of math for graduation at the time. I took a statistics class in college and it was definitely one of the more enjoyable math classes I took.
I definitely agree with you that statistics should be part of the K-12 curriculum. It's at least as valuable as algebra and certainly more valuable for most than anything beyond that.
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