Grading is not necessary for learning Although grades almost define schooling over the last 75 years or so, grades do not enhance learning. Grading does not produce more educated students. In fact, the reverse is true. This is not new knowledge! Alfie Kohn’s book, Punished by Rewards, laid out the research showing that grades degrade […]
More Parents Choose Home Education Many parents who would not have considered home education in the past do so now. Surprisingly, many parents indicate that time or scheduling informed their decision to homeschool. Students spend up to seven hours a day at school. Then they bring home one to two hours of homework. That leaves […]
Tests Seem Scary But Don’t Panic We’d like to see a world without tests. We think certificates of mastery for various skills would be better. But as long as the tests are part of schooling, tutors will need to help students deal with them. Tutors often encounter test anxiety in students. When panic sets in, […]
Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That’s Transforming Education, by Ken Robinson, PhD Reviewed by Yvonna Graham, M.Ed. CAN’T I JUST WATCH THE KEN ROBINSON TED TALK? By all means, watch the 20 minute TED talk: Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity? It’s informative and highly entertaining. But if you are a teacher or tutor who […]