[atlaw]

b.b. -- "Ha! It is the seeming dearth of rigorous academic standards of which I complain!"

Fr.Pr. -- Mandating only one view be can be taught does not enhance the educational process.

I'll certainly agree that teaching the habits and skills of critical thought and self-directed research are important, but do the two of you disagree with the notion that high school students and undergraduates should first master accepted rudiments of a topic?

For example, there are certainly "alternative" views regarding proper grammar and english usage (ebonics comes to mind, and Stephen Pinker has some interesting views on innate grammatical abilities). Is "mandating only one view" in this area therefore improper indoctrination?

And how would that differ in science education?

[betty boop]

...do the two of you disagree with the notion that high school students and undergraduates should first master accepted rudiments of a topic?

What do you mean by "accepted rudiments?"

"Accepted" in the sense of assenting to a received doctrine? Or do you mean something else by that word; and if so, WHAT???

Thanks for writing atlaw -- please clarify.