AN INTERVIEW WITH STEPHEN REYNOLDS: BARRIERS TO CRITICAL THINKING

Abstract

While working for the United States Air Force and the Department of
Defense, one thing emphasized was the importance of thinking about a problem
critically. Eight years ago, as an alternative licensure student, I listened intently as
the premise of No Child Left Behind was explained to myself and other future
educators. The very idea of teaching students to think critically, backed by a
national directive to teach critical thinking, was inspiring. Teaching social studies
in an alternative high school, I felt I had a perfect venue for inspiring students to
think critically about the world in which they live.