Bill Sower

Bill Sower is president of the Ann Arbor-based Christopher & Virginia Sower Center for Successful Schools, a for-profit licensee of the non-profit International Institute for Restorative Practices.

Articles

‘Competency-based’ learning should end social promotion of unprepared students

March 24, 2017 Bill Sower in

Guest Commentary

It seems like common sense: Make sure students know their material before being promoted to the next grade. But many factors keep it from working. We need to fix that.

Beyond suspension or expulsion, ‘restorative practices’ is more thoughtful discipline

January 13, 2017 Bill Sower in

Guest Commentary

We don’t put children in dunce caps or make them stand in the corner anymore. RP is an alternative that can be used for in-school offenses both serious and less so.

The teaching method that can save Michigan schools

October 6, 2016 Bill Sower in

Guest Commentary

This powerful teaching method is avoided by school leaders and attacked by education experts. Why