Basal or not?

Teachers are expected to use the basal reading programs that are assigned to them. Some administrators even go into the classroom during the allotted reading time to ensure teachers are using them. So, my question is why, as education majors, do we not see them in our curriculum. We have no training on how to best benefit from the basal programs. We are expected to be creative and include other literature when time permits but we have no practice doing so. I personally have substitute taught and have flipped through the teachers editions. They do seem very easy to follow and I'm sure we can each figure them out relatively quick. However, if this is the primary form of teaching children to READ, shouldn't we be introduced to them in college and learn how to make the best out of them?