Kipfoot, that might work for non-seismic areas. Based on the OP's point that they have never used less than #4 @ 48" o.c., they're likely in a high seismic area though.
I would have no issue embedding the bars a few inches though if the walls checked for OOP seismic. If the walls aren't satisfactory for OOP seismic, then just tighten up your spacing until the concrete breakout check works.
If it is a CMU partition, I am assuming there has to be some sort of structural beam under it to meet L/600 with headed studs (ie the composite deck). If you are worried about it, you could have the headed studs be long enough to extend into the CMU?