Like not memorize the table but memorize the atomic numbers and valence electrons? Just memorize the alkali earth metals or the halogens? I don't see how you wouldn't be forced to memorize the table in some way

Me personally? Nope, I just stole this meme from somewhere else (like how all good memes spread)

A steadily growing portion of American education is about rote memorization instead of critical thinking because we tied testing to funding and true/false is easier to grade

In high school I agree that learning it by heart is unnecessary. Studying chemistry in university though, I agree that the students there should know, at least roughly, where each element is. After all, a lot of reactivity and behavior depends on their period and which group they are in.