Feel-Bad Education: The Cult of Rigor and the Loss of Joy (#)

EDUCATION WEEK September 15, 2004 Feel-Bad Education The Cult of Rigor and the Loss of Joy By Alfie Kohn “Why are our schools not places of joy?” This question, posed by John Goodlad exactly 20 years ago, was both a summary of his landmark study of American classrooms and a plea for his readers to realize that a place called … Read More

Tests That Cheat Students

NEW YORK TIMES December 9, 1999 Tests That Cheat Students By Alfie Kohn The allegations that some New York City teachers may have cheated to raise their students’ test scores should surprise no one — partly because of similar accusations elsewhere but also because of the enormous pressure on educators to produce better results. We would do well to look … Read More