Critical Thinking

Critical thinking involves making judgments based on reasoning: students consider options; analyze these using specific criteria; and draw conclusions and make judgments. Critical thinking competency encompasses a set of abilities that students use to examine their own thinking, and that of others, about information that they receive through observation, experience, and various forms of communication. The Critical Thinking Competency Profiles have been developed by BC teachers based on students’ work. The critical thinking competency review draft consists of two elements:

Critical Thinking Competency Profiles (PDF)

present an overview and the set of profiles. The overview provides background about the critical thinking competency and includes a description of its facets. The set of profiles are descriptions of students as they progress to sophisticated stages of competency. The profiles are written from the student’s point of view, reflecting student ownership and responsibility for demonstrating the competencies.

Download the Critical Thinking Competency Profiles in English or French

Critical Thinking Competency Illustrations

The illustrations offer examples of ways in which students from diverse backgrounds and communities can demonstrate the critical thinking competency.