1.93% of higher education faculty believe critical thinking is an essential learning outcome.
2. Critical thinking is considered the second most important life skill after interpersonal skill.
3. Learning and discussing controversial issues in school helps students become more informed and more active citizens.
4. Learning about controversial topics in school increases students' political participation.
5. Students who debate controversial issues in school are more likely to be engaged and active citizens.
6. Discussing current events and debating controversial issues are associated with higher scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the largest national standardized test in the United States.
7. Teaching controversial topics helps students develop non-violent strategies for dealing with conflict.
8. Controversial issue assignments increase critical thinking skills and appreciation of cultural diversity.
9. Studying and debating controversial topics in school helps increase student attention, motivation, achievement, creativity, and self-esteem.