Degrading and De-grading

  “From Degrading to De-grading,” Alfie Kohn cites research that demonstrates the detrimental effect the conventional grading system can have on student learning, including: reduced student “interest,” reduced student preference for “challenging tasks,” and reduced quality in “student thinking.” Write an essay in which you respond to this argument. Do you agree with Kohn about the detrimental effect(s) the conventional grading can have? What points in Kohn’s argument do you agree with most? Least? And in each case, why specifically? Make sure to address the specifics of Kohn’s essay (i.e. quotations, excerpts) as you present your response.