July 3, 2001
CRITIC OF STANDARDIZED TESTING TO SPEAK AT VITERBO JULY 13
LA CROSSE, Wis.— Nationally renowned author and lecturer Alfie Kohn , a leading critic of standardized testing, will be at Viterbo University Friday, July 13, to speak to graduate students, parents and professional educators about the perils of the current way our nation is assessing its youth.
Kohn's presentation, which is typically lively and interactive, will run from 8:30-11 a.m. in the Fine Arts Center main theatre. A limited number of free seats are still available and can be reserved by contacting the Viterbo University Graduate Education Office at 796-3380. Over 600 seats have already been reserved.
Kohn, the author of eight books, was recently described by Time magazine as "perhaps the country's most outspoken critic of education's fixture on grades and test scores."
His criticisms of competition and rewards have helped to shape the thinking of educators across the country and abroad. Kohn has been featured on hundreds of television and radio programs, including the "Today" show and two appearances on "Oprah". He has been profiled in the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, while his work has been described and debated in many other leading publications. Kohn's presentation will include information from his most recent book which was published last year, "The Case against Standardized Testing: Raising the Scores Ruining the Schools."
While not everyone will agree with Kohn's opinion about grading and testing, Dr. John Schroeder, director of Graduate Studies in Education indicates the presentation's timing is excellent.
"Standardized testing, how we measure progress, and educational accountability, are the big issues today and Alfie Kohn brings an important perspective to the table which isn't always being heard. We have over 390 graduate students who are all teachers on campus during the week Kohn is here. His presentation will really generate some good discussion on how we go about practicing the teaching profession," Schroeder said.