The issue of debate that Russ describes, whether one can think deeply without having acquired basic skills, seems, to me to serve mostly as an excuse by one educator to dismiss a large portion of his student base instead of taking an opportunity to be part of their intellectual development. This person is basically saying that he/she won't 'waste time' on students who are not at some predetermined performance level. Those students are often the most insightful and original thinkers; what a loss to this educator who refuses to engage with them.
Russ on Reading: I Blog; Therefore, I Am: Descartes said, “I think; therefore, I am.” I want our students to say, “I read and write; therefore, I can think.” Rene Descar...
