Blame This On ‘Nam Too – How Education Became Indoctrination and What You Can Do About It.

Here is a link to a gift just for investing in acquiring the book. A summary of the keys to Becoming a Respectful Skeptic.

Audio Book

Adam
Unexpected
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I came looking for how to develop critical thinking in my kids. I left with how to change the world. American centric. The last chapter is gold.

Become a critical thinking
decision maker and advocate!

Tom Rowley Book Covers

Mission

My goal is to create and support a successful cadre of enthusiastic advocates to restore the teaching of effective problem solving life skills in public education.

Young people deserve to learn how to think not what to think. Developing the skills of critical thinking techniques integrated with the knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of adults will result in balanced individuals who are confident they are making informed decisions with a conscious expectation of the likely consequences.

When individuals practice being ‘respectful skeptics’ and engage in calm social discourse of the important issues of the times, the debate is more peaceful and negotiated outcomes are more productive and less disruptive.

Praise for Empower Your Children

“The author discusses the failure of the public education system in the USA to educate students in critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As an educator, he speaks from first-hand experience. He believes that the Vietnam War is one of the reasons for this. I won’t spoil your read by saying why. He is worried that many students and leaders in government, industry and education won’t listen to arguments that challenge their points of view. He discusses the effects of the pandemic and generational issues and is concerned re illiberalism. He recommends a plan of action and advocacy to deal with the issues raised.”

  • BJ Miller, Author and Pastor, Queensland

“The author does an excellent job using a plethora of sources to show how/why the educational system is the way it is. From having a lot of experience, Tom explains why he believes there should be a framework for responsible decision making and the likely consequences that go along with it.. which is why he “blames it on Nam!” As an educator, I couldn’t put this book down, and it gave me a lot of insight such as: the history of education, a biased curriculum, generational archetypes, problem solving opportunities and even an action plan with a lot of tools to implement actual change in the educational system.”

  • MB, Special Ed teacher, Ohio

“I wish every judge, politician, legislator, educator and school board member and parent would read this book. It contains many solutions to the problems in this country. Issues with critical thinking that could be corrected in our classrooms. Buy it, read it, and act upon these crucial issues facing our children and grandchildren.”

  • MJH, Kansas

A GREAT READ FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN HOW EDUCATION GOT TO WHERE IT IS TODAY

The original publication researched the problem, identificied the causes and recommends solutions with an action plan to include critical thinking in the curriculum to improve decision making

The 3RD edition is intended to provide a guide and encourage improved decision making as the world struggles to select leaders who know how to solve problems, and to engage in polite debate of important issues affecting all of us.

B Knarr, Military Historian & Author
Solve the education and societal crisis: Emphasize courses on critical thinking skills and civics!
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Tom Rowley’s “Blame it on ‘Nam: How Education Became Indoctrination and what You can do about it,” is a classic. Having grown up during that era, to include a tour in Vietnam in 1968, the book was thought-provoking as I reflected on some of the major events such as the Vietnam war, the draft, the demonstrations and so on, and how Dr. Rowley linked those events to the failings of our educational system. Literally, generations of students since the early ‘60s have been deprived of courses in critical thinking skills and civics and therefore don’t know the basics of problem solving or the rights and responsibilities of Americans and their system of government. As a teacher, with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and doctorate in education, I found the premise, the argument, source material, and potential solutions fascinating and sound. I read it twice to make sure I didn’t miss anything! This is a tactical, grass-roots issue that has evolved over generations into a national crisis. It’s a great resource and should be read by all; particularly teachers, parents, and community/government leaders.

Evolved into these:

Revised edition focuses on the solution and the beneficiaries. The objective: a cadre of adult coaches & mentors and smarter kids who all become Respectful Skeptics…

This Guide provides a worksheet for each class with notes and reminders on how to utilize the basic questions with each text or article that is being covered in that lesson.

Included is a series of worksheet pages for a two-semester schedule, teacher’s notes for implementation, and time to be allocated of the class to the CT aspects.

They are two-sided pages with open spaces for teacher’s notes. The first page is a Teacher Planning Page. It includes:

  • Topic for the day.
  • The author and their credentials.
  • Why this is valuable for the student to understand and how it applies to them.
  • How the teacher will develop and approach the subject: Lecture / Q&A / summary with exercises to practice application and demonstrate understanding.

The back page serves as a self-evaluation of the effectiveness of the exercise:

  • Notes on student responses (positive/neutral /negative).
  • What went well.
  • What didn’t go as planned/anticipated.
  • What the teacher would do differently next time to improve student involvement, understanding, and growth.

My admiration and appreciation to each of you for your efforts in improving the development of useful life skills in your students. Skills that will empower them to become successful, productive adults. Your life and theirs will be better for it.

Empower Your Children - Paperback Edition

This book will help you discover a practical solution to overcome and counter many of today’s issues. After implementing the recommended action plan, your life and the lives of those you care about will be better.

The book traces the decline in public education from the Anti-Vietnam War protests of the 60s, the federal takeover of the oversight of K-12 public schools, generational changes in the knowledge of history and decision-making skills, and the evolution of revolutionary groups and the impact they have had on university programs that have filtered down to the K-12 level.

Do you wonder how the woke/cancel culture got such a grip on young people?

Are you disappointed to realize that recent high school graduates and students at prestigious universities have no understanding of history, especially civil rights or the rights and responsibilities of citizens?

This book exposes the 50 year and two generation march of the takeover of public education. Using a proven business problem solving model, Dr Rowley, a former professor and semi-retired CPA, analyzes the actions and actors disclosed by insiders.

Solutions and Recommendations

For the traditional reader who enjoys the look and feel and longevity of a hard cover book. The same insights and recommendations as the paperback but in a format that will look good on your library shelf or coffee table.

Empower Your Children Teacher's Guide Spanish Edition

This book will help you discover a practical solution to overcome and counter many of today’s issues. After implementing the recommended action plan, your life and the lives of those you care about will be better.

The book traces the decline in public education from the Anti-Vietnam War protests of the 60s, the federal takeover of the oversight of K-12 public schools, generational changes in the knowledge of history and decision-making skills, and the evolution of revolutionary groups and the impact they have had on university programs that have filtered down to the K-12 level.

Empower Your Children - Ebook

Read for Free On Kindle Unlimited!

This book will help you discover a practical solution to overcome and counter many of today’s issues. After implementing the recommended action plan, your life and the lives of those you care about will be better.

The book traces the decline in public education from the Anti-Vietnam War protests of the 60s, the federal takeover of the oversight of K-12 public schools, generational changes in the knowledge of history and decision-making skills, and the evolution of revolutionary groups and the impact they have had on university programs that have filtered down to the K-12 level.