actually says" (Kohn 234). Basically, it seems like this is a pile of research that "demonstrates the superiority of nontraditional schools" (Kohn 234) but is written reasonably without bias, so that a neutral reader isn't swayed with tricky wordings, etc. While there is some expected level bias in the piece, Kohn argues fairly and covers both sides to the argument.
             But what is Kohn arguing for? What does he mean by "nontraditional" as I mentioned in the previous paragraph? In essence, Kohn wants teachers to be reasonable with the kids. He wants teachers to put themselves in the children's shoes and see what the students are thinking, and then simply nudge them to the right answer, but throw them off with different opinions, strategies, etc. along the way (qtd. in Thuemer 96). The teacher can be so much more effective if the students can give honest feedback. I know at my school, students would literally never be asked officially on how to change things. Students weren't even allowed at the school board meetings! Teachers and school districts that never tailor their curriculum to accommodate any kind of shifting within a student population can only be getting less effective. Kohn wants to take focus off of a teacher-dictated education to one where it is a bit less formal, more comfortable, and even enjoyable, to learn.
             Personally, I couldn't agree more. I am a student. I am a person with a mind that can form opinions and comprehend the universe. I am not a piggy bank, not a computer; I am a human being with a brain. I honestly have wished, at times, that I could memorize facts and remember them until after a test, so that I receive good grades. The only reason I would wish this is because it would be useful in the way I'm learning. I shouldn't be wishing that; I should be accepting of who I am. And more importantly, I shouldn't be learning in such a curr...