Is Obama Onboard the Age of Critical Thinking?

The many major US Corporations that belong to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills have concluded that the “21st century skill” of critical thinking is crucial for survival and economic success in the 21st century. Recently they released the “21st Century Skills and English Map,” a framework for integrating 21st century skills into the K-12 English curriculum. This map calls for teaching critical thinking to ALL students, during their English class, beginning in the fourth grade. It was produced in conjunction with the National Council of Teachers of English, whom we can therefore conclude are firmly onboard the Age of Critical Thinking.

What is Obama’s position? Is he onboard the Age of Critical Thinking? As of this date we can conclude that he is partially onboard, but has yet to announce his support for infusing critical thinking (and the other 21st century skills) into the K-12 curriculum, for all students.

We can consider him partially onboard because of the strong position he takes in his PLAN FOR LIFETIME SUCCESS THROUGH EDUCATION, regarding science and math education:

V. MAKE SCIENCE AND MATH EDUCATION A NATIONAL PRIORITY
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Sputnik, the first orbiting launch into space. In 1957, the beginning of the space age sparked an explosion of the attention to the development of American scientists who would work to further America’s place as a leader in the sciences and the global economy. And yet, fifty years after Sputnik, science and math education is in a crisis in all American schools. As the Gathering Storm report concluded, “danger exists that Americans may not know enough about science, technology, or mathematics to contribute significantly to, or fully benefit from, the knowledge-based economy that is already taking shape around us.” For example:
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In 2003, the Program in International Student Assessment found that U.S. 15 year olds ranked 28th out of 40 countries in mathematics and 19th out of 40 countries in science.
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Almost 30 percent of students in their first year of college are forced to take remedial science and math classes because they are not prepared for college-level classes.
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While employment in science, math, engineering, and technology (STEM) fields increased between 1995 and 2004 by 23 percent, the share of higher education degrees in STEM fields fell from 32 percent to 27 percent and there were declines in the number of students earning degrees in engineering.

These statistics are dismal. In the 21st Century, everyone needs to know science and math, not only to find employment, but also to be healthy and well-informed citizens. Moreover, over 80 percent of the fastest growing occupations are dependent upon a knowledge base in science and math. Barack Obama will make math and science education a national priority, and provide our schools with the tools to educate 21st-Century learners.

Improve and Prioritize Science Assessments: Assessments should reflect the range of knowledge and skills students should acquire. Science assessments need to do more than test facts and concepts. They need to use a range of measures to test inquiry and higher order thinking skills including inference, logic, data analysis and interpretation, forming questions, and communication [i.e., critical thinking]. High-performing states like Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, use an assessment that calls for students to design and conduct investigations, analyze and present data, write up and defend results. Barack Obama will work with governors and educators to ensure that state assessments measure these skills.

read the full Obama Plan (pdf) here: BARACK OBAMA’S PLAN FOR LIFETIME SUCCESS THROUGH EDUCATION