REVIEWS+

Feel-Bad Education

And Other Contrarian Essays on Children and Schooling
by Alfie Kohn
Feel-Bad Education: And Other Contrarian Essays on Children and Schooling. Beacon, dist. by Random. Apr. 2011. c.216p. index. ISBN 9780807001400. pap. $15. ED
COPY ISBN
Few scholars are more critical or more forthright about the problems with the U.S. educational system than Kohn. For years, he has spoken out against homework, high-stakes testing, the problems of extrinsic rewards, and other issues. Here he collects his essays published in a range of outlets, from the Phi Delta Kappan to the New York Times, over the last eight years. The main theme is that we know what practices make for a terrible educational experience yet we continue with them anyway because of inertia, politics, conventional wisdom, or even greed. In the title essay, Kohn disagrees with the assumption that high educational standards mean a joyless educational experience.
VERDICT Kohn, a surprisingly accessible and at times witty educational policy expert, raises lots of issues about the educational system and how we might improve it. Readers interested in educational policy—parents, students, or professionals—will find Kohn's well-written essays thought-provoking, even if they do not agree with his conclusions.
Reviewed by Mark Bay, Univ. of the Cumberlands Lib., Williamsburg, KY , Jan 01, 2011
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?