Inside the Black Box of Classroom Practice: Change without Reform in American Education by Larry Cuban

by Larry Cuban

why policy reforms in education have had little effect on classroom conduct and practice

Genres: Education

Library Binding

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Alexios Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful piece of writing that is super accessible for a lay reader. Cuban did several amazing things for me:

- articulated how I feel about a lot of the reductionist tendencies of “corporate” education reform movement (he does not use the term corporate). That it’s overly top down and ultimately doomed to not actually change outcomes meaningfully or create benefits that outweigh the costs (the biggest cost being distraction, but also disruptive stress). And the inevitable effect of emphasis of testing to create more teacher- rather than student-centered learning (=bad!)

- made a wonderful parallel between effectuating change in healthcare and education, using a concept of complicated systems (large corporations) and complex systems (education, healthcare). The difference is the multiplicity of stakeholders and goals. I find this really useful for thinking about policy and organizational goals in both sectors

- articulated for me what I have long believed: as a society and as an elite, the over-emphasis on politics and policy as a lever of change, versus culture and grounds-up work.

This is also one of those books where you come away liking the author. He simply comes off as a humane, humble and observant person.

In short a wonderful succinct read that helped me articulate my views on education and organizational strategy better. Very grateful to have picked up.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone interested in school reform. The author does a great job of discussing how past reforms and changes in education did or didn't have results, and why. He explains how education is a very complex institution, and how this complexity inhibits change. His central thesis is that most of the educational reforms being discussed in political circles largely ignore what really happens in classrooms. How schools are funded, staffed, rewarded, punished, etc., doesn't really change things in the classroom, where learning is supposed to occur. Teaching is still largely teacher-centric, across schools nationwide. The book is written for a lay audience, but with the structure and abundant supporting references one would expect from a scholarly book. Very rich in real-life case examples.

[Diana Suddreth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book while thinking about how difficult change is in education. As we try to implement reforms, especially disruptive innovations, it gave me a lot to think about in terms of where previous efforts have failed and what we might do to better ensure that current efforts take root. Education is a strangly consevative institution trying to address an ever changing society and the unique needs of children. What a challenge! Cuban gives hope, but more importantly information for consideration.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does a nice job of providing an overview of why policy has not reformed teaching practice in the US. Draws a comparison with the medical profession. Book is worth reading, but is similar to many other articles and books published on the topic. Essentially takes much of his earlier research and puts it all together.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting thoughts and commentary. His claim is solid in that reform has failed to fundamentally change classroom practice, however to much time is spent on showing that classrooms haven't changed, it would have been nice to see what a "changed" classroom could look like.