From Degrading to De-Grading

HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE March 1999 From Degrading to De-Grading By Alfie Kohn Pour lire cet article en français, cliquer ici. You can tell a lot about a teacher’s values and personality just by asking how he or she feels about giving grades.  Some defend the practice, claiming that grades are necessary to “motivate” students.  Many of these teachers actually seem to … Read More

Grading: The Issue Is Not How but Why (*)

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP OCTOBER 1994 Grading The Issue Is Not How but Why By Alfie Kohn Why are we concerned with evaluating how well students are doing? The question of motive, as opposed to method, can lead us to rethink basic tenets of teaching and learning and to evaluate what students have done in a manner more consistent with our ultimate … Read More