Feel-Bad Education : And Other Contrarian Essays on Children and Schooling

**Mind-opening writing on what kids need from school, from one of education's most outspoken voices** Almost no writer on schools asks us to question our fundamental assumptions about education and motivation as boldly as Alfie Kohn. The __Washington Post__ says that "teachers and parents who encounter Kohn and his thoughts come away transfixed, ready to change their schools." And __Time__ magazine has called him "perhaps the country's most outspoken critic of education's fixation on grades [and] test scores." Here is challenging and entertaining writing on where we should go in American education, in Alfie Kohn's unmistakable voice. He argues in the title essay with those who think that high standards mean joylessness in the classroom. He reflects thoughtfully on the question "Why Self-Discipline Is Overrated." And in an essay for the __New York Times,__ whichgenerated enormous response, he warns against the dangers of both punishing... Mind-opening writing on what kids need from school, from one of educations most outspoken voices Arguing that our schools are currently in the grip of a cult of rigora confusion of harder with better that threatens to banish both joy and meaningful intellectual inquiry from our classroomsAlfie Kohn issues a stirring call to rethink our priorities and reconsider our practices. Kohns latest wide-ranging collection of writings will add to his reputation as one of the most incisive thinkers in the field, who questions the assumptions too often taken for granted in discussions about education and human behavior. In nineteen recently published essaysand in a substantive introduction, new for this volumeKohn repeatedly invites us to think more deeply about the conventional wisdom. Is self-discipline always desirable? he asks, citing surprising evidence to the contrary. Does academic cheating necessarily indicate a moral failing? Might inspirational posters commonly found on school walls (Reach for the stars!) reflect disturbing assumptions about children? Could the use of rubrics for evaluating student learning prove counterproductive? Subjecting young children to homework, grades, or standardized testsmerely because these things will be required of them laterreminds Kohn of Monty Pythons getting hit on the head lessons. And, with tongue firmly in cheek, he declares that we should immediately begin teaching twenty- second -century skills. Whether Kohn is clearing up misconceptions about progressive education or explaining why incentives for healthier living are bound to backfire, debunking the idea that education reform should be driven by concerns about economic competitiveness or putting Supernanny in her place, his readers will understand why the Washington Post has said that teachers and parents who encounter Kohn and his thoughts come away transfixed, ready to change their schools. Mind-opening writing on what kids need from school, from one of education’s most outspoken voices Almost no writer on schools asks us to question our fundamental assumptions about education and motivation as boldly as Alfie Kohn. The Washington Post says that “teachers and parents who encounter Kohn and his thoughts come away transfixed, ready to change their schools.” And Time magazine has called him “perhaps the country’s most outspoken critic of education’s fixation on grades [and] test scores.” Here is challenging and entertaining writing on where we should go in American education, in Alfie Kohn’s unmistakable voice. He argues in the title essay with those who think that high standards mean joylessness in the classroom. He reflects thoughtfully on the question “Why Self-Discipline Is Overrated.” And in an essay for the New York Times, which generated enormous response, he warns against the dangers of both punishing and praising children for what they do instead of parenting “unconditionally.” Whether he’s talking about school policy or the psychology of motivation, Kohn gives us wonderfully provocative—and utterly serious—food for thought. This new book will be greeted with enthusiasm by his many readers, and by teachers and parents seeking a refreshing perspective on today’s debates about kids and schools. One Of Education's Most Outspoken Voices Presents A Challenging And Entertaining Writing On Where We Should Go In American Education. Kohn Argues In The Title Essay With Those Who Think That High Standards Mean Joylessness In The Classroom. Progressive Education: Why It's Hard To Beat, But Also Hard To Find -- Challenging Students And How To Have More Of Them -- Getting Hit On The Head Lessons -- It's Not What We Teach; It's What They Learn -- Who's Cheating Whom? -- How To Create Nonreaders : Reflections On Motivation, Learning, And Sharing Power -- The Trouble With Rubrics -- The Value Of Negative Learning -- Unconditional Teaching -- Safety From The Inside Out -- Bad Signs -- Feel-bad Education : The Cult Of Rigor And The Loss Of Joy -- Against Competitiveness -- When Twenty-first-century Schooling Just Isn't Good Enough : A Modest Proposal -- Debunking The Case For National Standards -- Atrocious Advice From Supernanny -- Parental Love With Strings Attached -- Why Self-discipline Is Overrated : The (troubling) Theory And Practice Of Control From Within -- Cash Incentives Won't Make Us Healthier. Alfie Kohn. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Kohn, an education writer and lecturer, collects 19 of his recent essays (published from 2004-2010) that provide a progressive perspective on education questions. He argues against uniform standards, the use of rubrics for evaluating individual assignments, and using competitiveness in a global economy as an excuse for education policies. He discusses what progressive education is, its values, and what distinguishes it; student cheating and other micro-level issues; how to motivate student interest in reading and writing; school safety; problems with signs considered to be inspiring in classrooms; issues with current education reform; and psychological and parenting issues, including self-discipline. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)