Threatening Parental Authority by educating kids

[Woodbabe]

I read this article this morning but I've had my eyes opened here today that this is NOT a unique concept. Do schools have the right to present subjects that may challenge kids, and teach them to question...even their parents? Do you see this as an integral part of the education system or should parents have the right to prevent their kids from learning about things they don't approve of?

Discuss:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/texas-republican-party-2012-platform-education_n_1632097.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

The position causing the most controversy, however, is the statement that they oppose the teaching of "higher order thinking skills" -- a curriculum which strives to encourage critical thinking -- arguing that it might challenge "student's fixed beliefs" and undermine "parental authority."

[punky3175]

You know as I think about it, I have to wonder - are the kids' parents really capable of thinking critically? Is that what they are worried about? Kids questioning parents and parents looking uneducated? I am the first to admit to my kids when I don't know something. Math is not my subject and they know that. However, they really hate it when I ask them to make a valid argument for something they want like an iPhone. When they can explain to me why they really truly need an iPhone, extra pet, new computer, etc then I'll get it. They hate when I punch holes in their arguments, then remind them that I write/make arguments for a living.

[Nighttiger]

This!  Those that have the skills to question and explore whats around them are the ones that will succeed in life and can make a difference. 

Quoting mikiemom:

I want my child challenged. I want my child to learn how to think critically, I want my child to know how to solve a problem. The lack of critical thinking and problem solving skills is a real problem for this country. I don't know whether to laugh or cry about this article. The first time I read it I seriously thought it was a joke then I realized these people were serious. It is so sad.

[meriana]

To be perfectly honest, I don't think there are many teachers or schools that truely teach what they refer to as critical thinking. When one looks at it, they teach a certain way, they expect the students to trust what they are taught is correct and they test on the material taught fully expecting students to respond with the answers they've been taught. If they were really teaching critical thinking, they'd open subjects up to more discussion, challenge students to research from all angles, not just what the teacher/text book says, but also from what they feel, think, believe and then write papers on their findings, the conclusions they came to and why.

As it is, they teach from the text book and if the text book says it's this way or that, then that's what it is. That does not teach children to think for themselves, it just teaches them to accept whatever is currently accepted as correct. It could be considered more a form of indoctrination as opposed to teaching kids to question it, research it, come to a conclusion and be able to support that conclusion.

[nuclear_sugar]

The first sign that your beliefs should be challenged appears when followers of said belief insist it can't or shouldn't be challenged.


If I am ever told that I have to stop teaching higher-order thinking, stop including debates in my classroom, or stop encouraging my students to dig deeper into an issue to justify their opinions...I will quit teaching. That is what I love about my job - opening children's eyes to the idea that they can be their own person, with their own beliefs, so long as they're willing and able to back them up.

[SWasson]

If your authority is lost by your kid asking logical questions, it's not authority at all.

[nuclear_sugar]

Just a note...even if schools have antiquated text books that come complete with pre-made assessments, it doesn't mean all of the teachers use them. I have never taught with the school textbooks...I buy my own materials and encourage students to find information from a variety of sources. I also make my own notes and assessments. Many of the teachers I know who do use the textbooks (math or social studies, etc) also add extra sources and enhance their courses with outside resources.

I think that the picture of "teach from the text, test from the text" is an unfaire stereotype that is grossly inaccurate for teaching at large.

Quoting meriana:

To be perfectly honest, I don't think there are many teachers or schools that truely teach what they refer to as critical thinking. When one looks at it, they teach a certain way, they expect the students to trust what they are taught is correct and they test on the material taught fully expecting students to respond with the answers they've been taught. If they were really teaching critical thinking, they'd open subjects up to more discussion, challenge students to research from all angles, not just what the teacher/text book says, but also from what they feel, think, believe and then write papers on their findings, the conclusions they came to and why.

As it is, they teach from the text book and if the text book says it's this way or that, then that's what it is. That does not teach children to think for themselves, it just teaches them to accept whatever is currently accepted as correct. It could be considered more a form of indoctrination as opposed to teaching kids to question it, research it, come to a conclusion and be able to support that conclusion.

[jessilin0113]

Aw, that's what I wanted to say!

Quoting SWasson:

If your authority is lost by your kid asking logical questions, it's not authority at all.

[Woodbabe]

I don't think the concern is that they'd teach the kids to question their parents, but that armed with how to 'recognize bullshit' the kids will question things like 'is there really a God' or 'WHY do I have to be in by midnight?"....

Maybe they're worried it will feed rebellion.

Dancing did that, dontcha know!

GOTTA GET FOOTLOOSE

*cheese for the day*

[FrogSalad]

Any belief that I have should be able to stand up to scrutiny, even by my own child.  What's the point of holding onto an unexamined belief?  Disagreement or challenging a long-helf belief /= disrespect, imo.

 

[Woodbabe]

Quoting FrogSalad:

Any belief that I have should be able to stand up to scrutiny, even by my own child.  What's the point of holding onto an unexamined belief?  Disagreement or challenging a long-helf belief /= disrespect, imo.

 

I agree! I have always expected my kids to back up their assertions and opinions. I make it clear that I don't expect them to agree with me and I won't agree with them...but if you're gonna stand for something, make sure you're on solid ground.