Do We Punish Students Do We Punish Students With Rewards?With Rewards?

Alfie Kohn on gold stars, incentive plans, and praise.

AssumptionsAssumptions

• Learning is intrinsically motivated

• Rewards and punishments reduce

intrinsic motivation

• Rewards produce temporary results

ClassroomClassroom•Content•Community•Choice

QuoteQuote““The unsettling news is that rewards and punishments The unsettling news is that rewards and punishments are worthless at best, and destructive at worst, for are worthless at best, and destructive at worst, for helping children develop such values and skills. helping children develop such values and skills. What rewards and punishments do produce is What rewards and punishments do produce is temporary compliance.temporary compliance. They buy us obedience. They buy us obedience. If that’s what we mean when we say they “work,” If that’s what we mean when we say they “work,” then yes, they work wonders.” then yes, they work wonders.”

Alfie KohnAlfie Kohn

Questions for Alfie Kohn:Questions for Alfie Kohn:

1) how do you measure and compare student performance and progress?

2) how do you ensure that students nationwide receive the same level of education?

3) how are students motivated to do well in subjects they do not like?

  In the ideal Alfie Kohn world,