Losing a war of words

Dear Editor:

I really enjoy your posts and often do not take the time to respond. This one got me thinking about our education system and how it does not teach kids to reach beyond what they are spoon fed by - you name the agenda. I wrote some time ago about the value of debate in early education. It requires students to research and debate both sides of current issues. It should be a required course for one semester of each high school grade and be as competitive as sports.

Term papers’ subjects should be required, to not only be chosen on current topics, but be graded on how well both sides were researched. There should be no penalty for the student’s conclusion but they should only be graded on their ability to provide sound reason for the conclusion.

Teacher training should have a course in how to handle this type of class and how to remain unbiased on issues or topics chosen so as not to interject their own bias onto the student. I would go so far as to train teachers as a specialty in classes where critical thinking is taught and that it be a requirement for teachers of those classes.

If we are going to have a public education system, it should educate, not promote the latest agenda. (no matter whose)

Sincerely,

Jerry Pritchett

Waxahachie, TX