CHAPTER 18: Disentangling Higher Order Thinking from Neoliberalism and Moving Toward A Democratic Vision of Schooling

In educational psychology, thinking and learning skills include self-regulated learning, critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving—all of which are grouped as higher order thinking. A curricula and pedagogical focus on thinking and learning skills is appealing, especially given the problems with rote learning encouraged by standardized assessments. However, there is a troubling paradox. Focusing curricula and pedagogy on thinking and learning skills align with two contradictory visions of schooling: neoliberal and democratic. This analysis is about disentangling thinking and learning skills from neoliberalism in order to endorse a democratic vision of schooling. To achieve this goal, first the political and ideological context surrounding the skills and their application must be centered. Second, explicit efforts must be made to foster a democratic vision of personhood to underpin thinking and learning skills.