Reform Education: A Well-Rounded Citizen Should Be the Goal

Prior to 1903, American schools produced well-rounded individuals. Graduates were inclined to think for themselves and were ready to contribute to the economy. The General Education Board, which the federal government chartered in 1903, opened the door to the rotting of our public schools. I stand for the teaching of critical thinking — not only for the teaching of trades. Toward the advancement of critical thinking, I will propose legislation to mandate formal debate for grades 9 to 12. Moreover, this legislation will require the harvesting of a very broad array of sources and points of view: the culling of information from primary sources, not just secondary sources, and not only from the Left and Right but also from Third-Way perspectives. Also, I stand for teaching unfiltered economic history — the most important component of which is the history of money and banking from ancient times down to today. An informed citizenry is the foundation of a functioning democracy, and we are failing that standard. Deep education reform is not just a policy priority. It is a prerequisite for everything else on this platform.