The value of a book about dealing with children is inversely proportional to the number of times it contains the word behavior.

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

Assessments should compare the performance of students to a set of expectations, never to the performance of other students.

Independence is useful, but caring attitudes and behaviors shrivel up in a culture where each person is responsible only for himself.

Punishments and rewards are two sides of the same coin and that coin doesn't buy you much.

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.

Punishments erode relationships and moral growth.