August 15, 2025

Confusing Harder with Better

What do the following have in common?

a) parents who don't seem particularly concerned about whether what their kids are doing in school is engaging or meaningful, but are quick to complain if their assignments aren't sufficiently challenging

b) people who assume that Advanced Placement classes must be the best that a high school has to offer just because these classes are really tough

c) proponents of school reform who use the language of "rigor" and "raising the bar"

d) legislators and administrators who require students to take standardized tests that many successful adults would struggle to pass

The common denominator here is the deep-rooted assumption that, where schooling is concerned, higher quality is basically equivalent to greater difficulty. This episode of Kohn's Zone explores how profoundly this misconception has shaped our understanding of schooling.

 

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PRODUCTION SUPPORT: Ultraviolet Audio

ART: Abi Kohn