Have you ever dissected a novel in English class? Did you discuss motivations for various historical events in history? Did you talk about theory of public speaking purposes and styles?

I did, in a very rural, very underfunded school district - all of those things are critical thinking.

It is integrated into other studies. But there tend to not be "This lesson is critical thinking" sorts of headers on the lesson plans.

Look for the phrase "lifelong learner". That tends to be where the "critical thinking" lives for many schools.

CT is ambiguously defined and complex in theory and practice. While analysis and evaluation of selected novels is intended to enlighten perspectives idk that curricula is rational or skeptical based on reading lists. Maybe an effect on bias.

It’s been awhile, but would wonder how unbiased today’s history books are. I can’t see the State of Texas board being nuanced about the Alamo.

I can see a rural district where teachers/schools have much more control over curricula, so enlightment or indoctrination is easier to influence. I dont see this scaling to large administrative/measurement bound districts. How does one test to CT outside perhaps secondary effects of STEM or AP results? It does appear that higher percentages of students are taking AP tests though.

Being educated by Jesuits, we started with Socrates/Plato. But looking at my classmates FB feeds I don’t see any evidence of sober CT skills. Skepticism is a synonym of conspiricism in today’s generations. Biases are polar bound.

My experience with dissecting novels is the opposite - you're expected to contort yourself, and often insult your own intelligence, to make sure that the result of your analysis doesn't deviate from the "correct" one too much.