Hello, , from NHERI.

Have you been planning to send your child to college to learn critical thinking skills? You had better think twice, or thrice.

A new book based on research suggests the following:

Almost everyone strives to go [to college], but almost no one asks the fundamental question posed by Academically Adrift: are undergraduates really learning anything once they get there? For a large proportion of students, Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa's answer to that question is a definitive no. Their extensive research draws on survey responses, transcript data, and, for the first time, the state-of-the-art Collegiate Learning Assessment, a standardized test administered to students in their first semester and then again at the end of their second year. According to their analysis of more than 2,300 undergraduates at twenty-four institutions, 45 percent of these students demonstrate no significant improvement in a range of skills--including critical thinking, complex reasoning, and writing--during their first two years of college. [Note 1]

This begs the question, What are the operational definitions of critical thinking and complex reasoning? One might use a standardized test as did Arum and Roksa that is based on certain definitions. Or, if one wants to use a biblical theoretical framework, he should consider a biblical definition.

If critical has to do with measuring things, and thinking deals with forming in the mind or having an opinion, what might God have to say about this? He says a lot. For example, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever," "The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever," and "Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy" [Note 2]. Many more scriptures show us that God's truths, principles, and commands should be the standards against which we judge or measure all things.

On the topic of critical thinking and students who were home educated, I am not aware of much research. So far, it appears that adults who were home educated perform at least as well as those from state/public-school and private-school backgrounds.

With these things in mind, what are some concepts parents and other educators might glean from this new research and the word of God? First, the teaching of "critical thinking" begins very early in life, regardless of whether parents are trying to teach it. Everything they tell their children is truth will affect their children's future judgments. Parents, teach your children God's truths and principles and have a lot of discussion about whether X or Y statement, policy, law, pastor's teaching, and congressman's decision matches the truths and principles. I repeat, have a lot of discussion, and try to teach and model great humility before God along with the discussion.

Second, parents should be careful regarding whether they are defining "critical thinking" according to God's special revelation or some standardized test. (This is not to say that a test cannot do a decent job of measuring critical thinking.)

Third, if (i.e., if) young adults who were home educated have critical thinking skills of about the same or a little better than those who attended state institutional schools, homeschool parents and leaders should ask, Is that good enough?

Finally, basic biblical critical (wise) thinking should be a long way into development before young people are "college age." And do not expect colleges to effectively teach or transmit any kind of critical thinking.

P.S. Please feel free to send us your questions about homeschooling and we will try to answer them in upcoming messages.

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