Much lip service is given to the notion that students are learning to think critically. Studies consistently show that though faculty say that critical thinking is important to their instruction, they have difficulty articulating a clear conception of it and demonstrating how they foster it. In order for students to learn critical thinking, instructors need to explicitly teach it through focused instruction. And standards for doing this are essential. Thus, the authors focus on some essential critical thinking competency standards. In this first column of the series, the authors essentially argue for the importance of critical thinking to instruction. In the several columns that follow, they provide examples of the competencies. These competencies serve as a resource for teachers, curriculum designers, administrators, and accrediting bodies. The use of these competencies across the curriculum will ensure that critical thinking is fostered in the teaching of any subject.