WHAT YOU TALKIN' 'BOUT, WILLIS?

Stars on Ours

Somewhere along the way in education, somebody got the idea to put all the kid's in kindergartens names on the wall, and to assign them stars based on merit. I can easily see the value of this incentive and think that a token economy of stars is fun for the kids, but I question instilling this value of rewards-based performance. You see, in my doctoral program, there is a contingent of students who still want stars. Then there are others, like myself, who could care less about the stars (I am just in it for the participation and hopefully personal growth, though I realize some grow through reaching goals, and stars are a goal, of sorts).

Anywho, the faculty are selling us stars and participation, like the Dr. Seuss story about the Sneeches where they don't really care what you want to earn or have, they just want to see you run around (and I guess, to learn something).

Who made up this star idea? I want to say, No, no, bad teacher! Kids need to want to do good, because it is GOOD intrinsically, not for rewards..

Thoughts?

UPDATE: Finish reading Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn.