Alfie Kohn Quotes

Author

Alfie Kohn is a renowned author and educational critic, known for his research on educational psychology and human behavior. His work often explores the power dynamics in education, evaluation systems, and how to create more meaningful learning environments. Born on October 15, 1957, Kohn's career includes educational research and writing, and his books, such as 'Punishment by Myth' and 'The Case Against Reward', have had a profound impact on educational practice and theory.

Filter quotes by topic

All Ifs Children Students School Rewards People Wells Helping Parenting Punishment Should Trying Different Needs Teacher Thinking Way Education Feels Grows

Famous Alfie Kohn Quotes

“Many mothers and father return each evening from their paid jobs only to serve as homework monitors, a position for which they never applied.”

School Educational Philosophy Homework

Book:The Homework Myth

Source: The Homework Myth

“The more we want our children to be (1) lifelong learners, genuinely excited about words and numbers and ideas, (2) avoid sticking with what’s easy and safe, and (3) become sophisticated thinkers, the more we should do everything possible to help them forget about grades.”

Kids School Education Learning Parenting

Author:Alfie Kohn

“Many of our elected officials have virtually handed the keys to our schools over to corporate interests. Presidential commissions on education are commonly chaired by the executives of large companies.”

Children School Education Parenting Homeschooling Going Beyond Non Traditional

Book:The Schools Our Children Deserve: Moving Beyond Traditional Classrooms and "Tougher Standards" – A Research-Based Argument for Child-Centered Learning

Source: The Schools Our Children Deserve: Moving Beyond Traditional Classrooms and "Tougher Standards" – A Research-Based Argument for Child-Centered Learning

“Punishments and rewards are two sides of the same coin and that coin doesn't buy you much.”

Two School Sides Rewards Punishment Coins Two Sides

Author:Alfie Kohn

“When test scores go up, we should worry, because of how poor a measure they are of what matters, and what you typically sacrifice in a desperate effort to raise scores.”

Should Matter School Poor Effort Worry Sacrifice Tests Raises Desperate Score What Matters Test Scores

Author:Alfie Kohn

“When we do things that are controlling, whether intentional or not, we are not going to get those long-term outcomes.”

Long School Term Long Term Outcomes

Author:Alfie Kohn

“Standardized testing has swelled and mutated, like a creature in one of those old horror movies, to the point that it now threatens to swallow our schools whole.”

Whole School Horror Creatures Testing Standardized Testing

Book:What Does It Mean to Be Well Educated?: And More Essays on Standards, Grading, and Other Follies