Rethinking Homework Surveys It’s not uncommon for schools to distribute surveys to parents in an effort to learn more about families’ experiences with homework. While it might be even more helpful to ask the students themselves, it’s always commendable when someone wants to check out how a policy is affecting those on the receiving end. Unfortunately, what’s most striking about … Read More
The (Progressive) Schools Our Children Deserve – (Lecture Topic)
THE (PROGRESSIVE) SCHOOLS OUR CHILDREN DESERVE Our knowledge of how children learn – and how schools can help — has come a long way in the last few decades. Unfortunately, most schools have not: They’re still more about memorizing facts and practicing isolated skills than understanding ideas from the inside out; they still exclude students from any meaningful decision-making role; … Read More
“Well, Duh!” — 10 Obvious Truths That We Shouldn’t Be Ignoring
AMERICAN SCHOOL BOARD JOURNAL April 2011 “Well, Duh!” — Ten Obvious Truths That We Shouldn’t Be Ignoring By Alfie Kohn The field of education bubbles over with controversies. It’s not unusual for intelligent people of good will to disagree passionately about what should happen in schools. But there are certain precepts that aren’t debatable, that just about anyone would have … Read More
Studies Support Rewards, Homework, and Traditional Teaching. Or Do They? (##)
March 31, 2011 Studies Support Rewards, Homework, and Traditional Teaching. Or Do They? By Alfie Kohn It’s not unusual to read that a new study has failed to replicate — or has even reversed — the findings of an earlier study. The effect can be disconcerting, particularly when medical research announces that what was supposed to be good for us … Read More
“But I Need to Assign Homework! Look at All I Have to Cover!”
THE HUFFINGTON POST March 3rd 2011 “But I Need to Assign Homework! Look at All I Have to Cover!” By Alfie Kohn A parent wrote me today to express her frustration not only with homework but with the response she hears from teachers when she complains about homework. Even those teachers who are sufficiently knowledgeable and brave to admit that research … Read More
Changing the Homework Default
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL Winter 2007 Changing the Homework Default By Alfie Kohn The difference between a good educator and a great educator is that the former figures out how to work within the constraints of traditional policies and accepted assumptions, whereas the latter figures out how to change whatever gets in the way of doing right by kids. “But we’ve always…”, … Read More
Rethinking Homework
PRINCIPAL January/February 2007 Rethinking Homework By Alfie Kohn [For a more detailed look at the issues discussed here — including a comprehensive list of citations to relevant research and a discussion of successful efforts to effect change– please see the book The Homework Myth.] After spending most of the day in school, children are typically given additional assignments to be completed … Read More
Is The Homework Myth Popular with Students? Well, Sure. What’s Your Point?
December 2006 Is The Homework Myth Popular with Students? Well, Sure. What’s Your Point? By Alfie Kohn “Boy, I’ll bet you’re real popular with kids!” is one of the more common responses I’ve heard from reporters after having done more than 90 TV, radio, and print interviews to discuss The Homework Myth. I begin by admitting that he has indeed received … Read More
The Truth About Homework
EDUCATION WEEK September 6, 2006 The Truth About Homework Needless Assignments Persist Because of Widespread Misconceptions About Learning By Alfie Kohn Para leer este artículo en Español, haga clic aquí. There’s something perversely fascinating about educational policies that are clearly at odds with the available data. Huge schools are still being built even though we know that students tend to fare … Read More
Abusing Research: The Study of Homework and Other Examples
PHI DELTA KAPPAN September 2006 Abusing Research The Study of Homework and Other Examples By Alfie Kohn Research, please forgive us. Our relationship with you is clearly dysfunctional. We proclaim to the world how much we care about you, yet we fail to treat you with the respect you deserve. We value you conditionally, listening only when you tell us … Read More