Americans want colleges to teach students how to think, not what to think, new Vanderbilt poll finds

Most Americans say that colleges should teach students how to think critically but not what to think. That’s the latest finding from the Vanderbilt Unity poll, which takes the pulse of Americans’ attitudes towards higher education. Some 90% of respondents say that teaching students to think more logically is the most important aspect of a college education. They also want colleges and universities to stay out of politics, though they’re divided on what subjects should be taught.

“One of the clearest findings is that the public wants colleges to get back to basics,” said John Geer, co-director of the poll and professor of political science.

“When you ask about the core purposes of a college education, you see almost no political polarization,” he said. “That is, progressives and MAGAites