What philosophy most closely aligns with a gifted enrichment program that is content-independent and stresses critical thinking?

The option that aligns with a gifted enrichment program that is content-independent and emphasizes critical thinking is indeed focused on the development of cognitive processes. This philosophy prioritizes enhancing students' abilities to think critically, analyze, evaluate information, and solve problems, regardless of the specific subject matter being taught.

In a gifted context, this approach often involves providing students with challenging, open-ended questions and opportunities for inquiry that stimulate higher-order thinking skills. The focus is on nurturing the underlying cognitive abilities that can be applied across various domains, encouraging students to make connections and apply their thinking skills in diverse situations.

This is particularly beneficial for gifted learners, who thrive in environments where they can explore ideas deeply and practice their critical thinking abilities without being constrained by a rigid curriculum that focuses solely on specific content areas. Such a curriculum allows for more individualized and meaningful learning experiences, fostering intellectual creativity and problem-solving skills.