Hmm, is that a states thing then? Typing courses around here have capitulated on it. You can choose to learn it if max typing speed is the most important factor, but alternate forms of touch typing and muscle memory are fully accepted now. Often times just due to the varying amount of personal practice, the fastest typer in class isn’t even a home row kid.
But way back when I was in school, they constantly tried to force me to switch to home row, despite already having years of practice typing outside of school. I was already a faster typer than the teacher, so they had a hard time convincing me that their way was better. I eventually saw enough data on it to believe it, but I’m still glad I was unconvinced at the time. I still type fast enough to get any typing job, but I’m not so rigid and can use various types of keyboard equally well. Home row is very good at one thing, but it makes you prioritise that one thing too much. If you really wanted to type fast, but be limited to only one set of hardware, stenography is one step more in that direction.
Touch typing is not only home row typing. I do touch type, I just do it in “hunt and peck” style, just without the “hunting” part, and much faster pecking. I feel it’s a much more transferable skill.
And while I don’t practice home row, I do feel that I understand it. And I respect it for it’s purpose, I just think it’s outdated, and incongruent with modern life now. It’s more likely to hold someone back rather than benefit them now.