The Problem with Critical Pedagogy in K-12 Education

James Lindsay argues that critical pedagogy is a form of indoctrination that undermines traditional education in K-12 settings. He highlights that children do not think the same way as adults and are more susceptible to authority figures shaping their beliefs. Lindsay explains that the infiltration of critical theory into education began in the 1970s with a deliberate effort to capture colleges of education and recruit teachers aligned with Marxist ideologies. He emphasizes that critical pedagogy is not a matter of open debate, but rather a cult-like indoctrination that aims to break down boundaries between adults and children. Lindsay criticizes the notion of teaching critical race theory alongside alternative perspectives, arguing that children need boundaries and that the marketplace of ideas does not apply to young students.