Alfie Kohn

Alfie Kohn writes and speaks widely on human behavior, education, and parenting. His 14 books include Punished By Rewards (1993), The Schools Our Children Deserve (1999), The Case Against Standardized Testing (2000), Unconditional Parenting (2005), The Homework Myth (2006), and The Myth of the Spoiled Child (2014). Kohn has been described by Time magazine as “perhaps the country’s most outspoken critic of education’s fixation on grades [and] test scores.” His criticisms of competition and rewards have helped to shape the thinking of educators -- as well as parents and managers -- across the country and abroad. He has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs, including the “Today” show and two appearances on “Oprah.” He lectures widely at universities and to school faculties, parent groups, and corporations, as well as speaking at staff development seminars and keynoting national education conferences. Kohn’s articles include “It's Not About Behavior” in Education Week; “Five Reasons to Stop Saying ‘Good Job!’” in Young Children; and “The Case Against Grades” in Educational Leadership. Kohn lives (actually) in the Boston area and (virtually) at www.alfiekohn.org.