[smsm42]

As far as I can see, they in fact oppose specific programs, not critical thinking skills in general (clarified e.g. here: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/06/texas_gops...) - the phrase about critical thinking was a mistake. I couldn't find much detail about the programs, but it looks like it is specifically geared towards having students challenge accepted beliefs and authority, which may be both good and bad, depending on maturity level of the students (imagine student that refuses to accept arithmetics or grammar because it's all enforced authoritarian rules and he wants to self-express by making 2+2=5 and riting wiz no gramor it al - probably not a very good idea). Also, wikipedia article on HOTS states:

Many forms of education reform, such as inquiry-based science, reform mathematics and whole language emphasize HOTS to solve problems and learn, sometimes deliberately omitting direct instruction of traditional methods, facts, or knowledge.

The last part of this phrase - about omitting instruction of traditional methods, facts and knowledge - can be very dangerous. It is important to question and challenge existing conventions and authority, but this can be productive only when based in solid background of knowledge, understanding and facts. Otherwise it may easily lead to nihilist know-nothing attitude in which disdain for conventions and self-importance replaces any need for knowledge, rational thinking and relation to facts. It could also put student that do value traditional values, methods and knowledge as somehow defective and failing to achieve "higher", "cooler" stance where these things are irrelevant.

It'd be very interesting to know more details about the specific program(s) in question, without these details it is impossible to know if there's any justification for RPT's opposition to it.

[azinman2]

I was just about to post that link. While my knowledge of different teaching techniques is limited, from what I can tell they are mostly opposed to more freeform education which is likely to deviate from the set education standards and curriculum. Not totally surprising for a conservative perspective.. but it's less likely to do with challenging religion than most hackernewsers would think. They probably see these alternative forms as hippy free-thinking ways that will produce individuals that want to live within a different system, mostly by deviating from traditional workforce paths and not respecting existing authority and hierarchy.

[azinman2]

I should say the rest of the PDF contains much more interesting nuggets... from the obvious opposition to 'normalizing homosexuality' to the not-so-obvious opposition to the patriot act due to large government.