Since the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, pressure has been on school
districts to demonstrate student progress and competency via standardized test scores. In todayes
accountability climateccritical thinking activities can take a back seat to test preparation. (Pescatore,
2007, p. 330). Rather than embarking on frustrating attempts to cram students full of simple recall facts
in the weeks prior to a round of standardized tests, it may be more beneficial long-term for students to
be able to utilize factual information as a framework for critical exploration of broader concepts. While
it may be tempting to teach to a test, however, students donet live in a multiple choice/true or false
world. Paul and Elder (2008) insisted that multiple-choice tests are rarely useful in assessing life
situations. and instead teachers should develop he kinds of intellectual tasks students will perform
when they apply the subject matter to professional and personal issues in the various domains of their
lives. (p. 34). Teachers are obligated to help students develop the skills necessary to synthesize the
nuances of a modern, complex society.