Don't believe the lies.
Curiosity
The lie: learning something for its own sake.
The truth: correctly guessing what the person in charge wants to be asked, and then asking it.
Critical Thinking
The lie: independently interrogating claims; refusing the options on the table; questioning the frame of the person in charge, knowing it’s probably going to lead to a low grade.
The truth: reproducing the teacher’s own critique back to her or making sure any disagreement with her falls within a permitted range of dissenting opinions.
Creativity
The lie: thinking originally; producing something unexpected that an authority figure either won’t like or recognize.
The truth: contributing something that a rubric declares surprising or original, never threatens your grade, and approved by a person in power who you hope will write your letter of recommendation someday.
Deep Understanding
The lie: actively exploring and using knowledge in new ways; seeking lasting and meaningful comprehension.
The truth: excelling at timed and anxiety-inducing assessments that measure how many things you can list about a subject.
Intellectual Risk-Taking
The lie: taking actual intellectual risks.
The truth: challenging yourself and the person in charge in a way that earns you an award for “School’s Most Courageous Thinker."