PLN 15

            The article "Schools Would be Great if it Weren’t For the Kids," by Alfie Kohn discusses the idea that today’s students are failing due in part to teachers but also because students themselves are to blame.  This matters to me, education, and the world. First, this matters to me because I can relate to the fact that students are lazy at times and can apply themselves and work harder. It is my responsibility in the end to be a motivated learner.  In addition, this matters to education because the article notes that school reformers are interested in “student achievement” not student’s achievement. When test scores do not meet expectations the teachers are immediately blamed. Kohn says that we use a stick and hurt the teachers by firing them or a carrot is used and teachers are offered more pay for better test scores.  I agree with Kohn, that this is not a great way to motivate teachers or students.  We seem obsessed with test scores and not real learning.  Finally, this matters to the world because now more than ever in a complex economy America needs students equipped with the best information. When students are pushed out into the real world test scores won’t matter but their ability to process and use new information will.