Linda Muchemore

Requiring logic and critical thinking in high school is important for the students development. It would improve reasoning and decision making and teach how to evaluate arguments, social media, online sources and general news using research and facts. This would reduce susceptibility to misinformation and promote respectful disagreement and debate. However, schools are already underfunded and would struggle not only to pay for this added course, but find or train a teacher to teach it. There is a risk of politicization - all sides of an issue should be discussed which opens up another area for parents refusing to have their child be subjected to an opinion they don't agree with. This makes it more difficult for teachers to teach. Students really need education in critical thinking, but perhaps it should be included in subjects already taught that already should be analyzing such as history, social studies, civics, science, media literacy. Regardless which way it is taught, there must be developed criteria and course materials that focus on real world issues, social media, and online sources evaluation.