Reply #14: Back in the 70s the Right (esp Schlaffley and Eagle Forum)

[salin]

fought the teaching of "values" (parents should do that! - apparently they didn't trust what values would be taught); and the teaching of "critical thinking skills" (teaches kids to question their parents!) Over time more schools responded to the pressure - except in the high end classes - there critical thinking was still taught (have to get those brightest kids to college).

Has been interesting that it is the right that has now been pushing for "character education". Perhaps they believe they now control the agenda of what that means. I don't know the idea of some schools teaching "character education" in the absense of critical thinking - sort of makes me think of docile indoctrination.

Fortunately - many people in the teaching field have more sense than the far right, and have always tried to work in both critical thinking and values types lessons.