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

Mind-opening writing on what kids need from school, from one of educationrs"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. TheWashington Postsays that "teachers and parents who encounter Kohn and his thoughts come away transfixed, ready to change their schools." AndTimemagazine has called him "perhaps the countryrs"s most outspoken critic of educationrs"s fixation on grades [and] test scores." Here is challenging and entertaining writing on where we should go in American education, in Alfie Kohnrs"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 theNew York Times,whichgenerated enormous response, he warns against the dangers of both punishingandpraising children for what they do instead of parenting "unconditionally." Whether hers"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 todayrs"s debates about kids and schools.

Alfie Kohn's previous eleven books include Punished by Rewards, Unconditional Parenting, The Homework Myth, and What Does It Mean To Be Well Educated? He speaks widely to teachers and parents and lives in the Boston area.