Each time I visit such a classroom, where the teacher is more interested in creating a democratic community than in maintaining her position of authority, I’m convinced all over again that moving away from consequences and rewards isn’t just realistic - it’s the best way to help kids grow into good learners and good people.

When test scores go up, we should worry, because of how poor a measure they are of what matters, and what you typically sacrifice in a desperate effort to raise scores.

Children learn how to make good decisions by making decisions, not by following directions.

When was the last time you spent the entire day with only 42 year olds?

Educational success should be measured by how strong your desire is to keep learning.

To be well-educated is to have the desire as well as the means to make sure that learning never ends.

Grades dilute the pleasure that a student experiences on successfully completing a task.