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<p>I’d be more comfortable with “students are supposed to learn to think independently.”</p>
<p>I have one daughter who is truly original and creative. Professors frequently ask to be able to use her stuff in their next class. </p>
<p>I have another who is truly independent, but not quite as creative. Never has she been asked to leave her work for a teacher to use as an example.</p>
<p>I believe each are doing equally valid schoolwork. The number of truly unique and original thinkers in any classroom is likely to be 0-1. But, everyone can learn how to think independently. Or, mostly everyone.</p>
<p>emphasis on originality before grad school is a diservice to the student, who may or may not ever arrive at a single novel idea in his/her life.</p>