The Critical Advantage: Developing Critical Thinking Skills in School

by William T. Gormley Jr.

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Author: William T. Gormley Jr.

Publisher: Harvard Education Press

Paperback:
ISBN 10: 1682530574
ISBN 13: 978-1682530573

In The Critical Advantage, noted scholar and early childhood expert William T. Gormley, Jr. takes a wide-ranging look at the important role of critical thinking in preparing students for college, careers, and civic life.

Drawing on research from psychology, philosophy, business, political science, neuroscience, and other disciplines, he offers a contemporary definition of critical thinking and its relationship to other forms of thinking, including creative thinking and problem solving. When defined broadly and taught early, he argues, critical thinking is a “potential cure for some of the biggest problems we face as a nation,” including education deficits, employment deficits, and the recent surge of partisanship in democratic politics. While there are encouraging signs—the Common Core State Standards have drawn attention to the importance of critical thinking—recent efforts have been too narrowly focused on improving textual analysis in high school. Those who might benefit the most from curricula prioritizing critical thinking, including disadvantaged students, are less likely to be represented in courses and other activities that encourage this skill.

Gormley argues for prioritizing critical thinking skills in PreK–12. He takes readers into innovative classrooms around the country, including schools in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Virginia, and offers specific recommendations for promoting critical thinking and embedding it across the curriculum.

The Critical Advantage is an insightful and fascinating account of an intellectual journey culminating in a fresh vision for the future of US schooling.

Review

"The Critical Advantage, a lively and informative book about critical thinking by William Gromley...is a sparkling read that's both big-picture and practical, with bite-size samplings, a little brain science, and well-guided tours of critical thinking in education, work, and civic life." —Brooke Manville, Forbes

"Gormley presents new ways of considering critical thinking in a variety of different contexts, while also arguing that it is absolutely necessary that Americans rediscover their ability to interact constructively with ideas different from their own." —Peter M. Nelson, Teachers College Record

From the Back Cover

In TheCritical Advantage, William T. Gormley, Jr. takes a wide-ranging look at the important role of critical thinking in preparing students for college, careers, and civic life. He takes readers into innovative classrooms around the country and offers specific recommendations for promoting critical thinking and embedding it across the curriculum. The Critical Advantage is an insightful and fascinating account of an intellectual journey culminating in a fresh vision for the future of US schooling.

“Is critical thinking the key to making sure our youth are ready for college, careers, and civic engagement? Gormley makes a persuasive case that it is. The book provides important guidance for educators on how to build the culture and structures to promote critical thinking.”
—Betsy Brand, executive director, American Youth Policy Forum

“The Critical Advantage is one of the most thoughtful and useful explorations of critical thinking I have read. A refreshing, digestible, and much-needed read for this time.”
—Terrel L. Rhodes, vice president, Office of Quality, Curriculum and Assessment, and executive director of VALUE, Association of American Colleges and Universities

“Gormley provides many rich examples of how educators can help children and youth to develop critical thinking skills that are important to success in college, in careers, and in civic life. Reading this book will help educators reflect on the ways that they interact with children and the ways that they can help them to become effective critical thinkers.”
—Richard J. Murnane, Thompson Research Professor, Harvard University Graduate School of Education

William T. Gormley, Jr. is a university professor and professor of public policy and government at Georgetown University, and is also the codirector of the Center for Research on Children in the United States.

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The Critical Advantage: Developing Critical Thinking Skills in School