Reasons for Becoming a Partner

1. A powerful model for fostering critical thinking

The chief reason to join the Consortium is that the conception of critical thinking developed by TC² provides a powerful model for fostering critical thinking in the classroom. Dr. Richard Paul, one of the pre-eminent American leaders in the field of critical thinking, wrote of TC²:

In a world of pseudo-critical thinking, this approach stands out as remarkable, refreshing and exciting. It is a well-thought through, substantive approach. Anyone using it will be encouraging critical thinking in deep and important ways . . . this core group of committed thinkers [is] facilitating a long-term substantive approach to critical thinking at every level of education. I do not believe that there is a single state in the United States that can compare with the progress made in British Columbia though the work of the Critical Thinking Cooperative.

2. Sustained cooperative effort

The basic principle of the Consortium is that members join in common purpose with other partners in a network of educators committed to long-term, field-based support. We work collaboratively with our partners to build sustainable capacity and create positive synergies. Language education professor Dr. Marlene Asselin describes a collaborative project with TC² and pre-service teachers at the University of British Columbia:

A growing theme in the teacher-librarian literature is the development of higher level thinking, particularly critical thinking as it applies to the selection, evaluation and use of information. The TC² model of critical thinking has provided a powerful curricular frame for integrating higher-level information skills within resource-based learning units . . .Our work this year has inspired us to strengthen this new relationship between TC² and integrated curriculum-based school library programs.

3. Partners have direct access to a cadre of experienced facilitators

TC² has worked with 50,000 educators across Canada and internationally through workshops and, more importantly, through on-going study sessions, curriculum development projects and other teacher-directed initiatives to deepen and extend the implementation of critical thinking.

I recently heard your presentation on Integrating Critical Thinking Skills in IB programs. It was by far the best presentation on Critical Thinking Skills I have seen in my career.

-Ursula Hermann, Principal, Westland Middle School, Bethesda, MD

I cannot thank you enough for taking part in our conference. Your sessions received such positive feedback! Your work always represents a level of professionalism and best practice that is truly inspirational.

-School director, Toronto

4. Significant support from external funding

TC² has raised in excess of $1,000,000 from external sources to support projects involving Partners. Money from these sources is often paid directly to participating Partner groups to support their involvement in projects. In addition, externally funded projects benefit Partners by making available exemplary resources for use by their teachers. A sampling of resources made possible by external funding include:

• The Alberta On-line Learning Guide in Social Studies is funded by the Alberta Ministry of Education. Partners have access to this electronic learning tool that contains hundreds of critical thinking lessons addressing every outcome in selected grades of the social studies curriculum.

• Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History is funded by the Canada Studies Program though the University of Victoria, This electronic learning resource contains 12 critical thinking WebQuests that use primary historical documents to teach students about mysterious events in Canadian history.

• Thoughtful Books is a series funded by the Carthy Foundation to develop teacher and parent booklets for use with exemplary children’s literature to enhance critical literacy and ethical deliberation.

• Caring for Young People’s Rights and Globalizing Connections: Canada and the Developing World are two publications that were developed with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). TC² is currently working on its third publication, The World through Pictures, with CIDA.

5. Membership more than pays for itself

Partners pay a modest annual fee that is returned though discounted fees on virtually all services and publications offered by the Consortium. In addition, Partnership provides various other services and opportunities:

• Preferred rates on publications. Publications are offered to Partners at a 20% discount.
• Preferred rates on services. Partners receive 20% off the regular rates for professional development sessions.
• Joint planning. Partners have the opportunity to meet with a TC² facilitator to plan a sustained professional development program and to explore the possibility of collaborative projects.
• Workshop evaluation and follow up. After each event, Partners are encouraged to discuss the results of the session and possible follow-up support with their TC² facilitator.
• Complimentary copies of new publications. Partners will receive a complimentary copy of each new publication that TC² releases.