Improvement Science in Education: A Primer

by Brandi Nicole Hinnant-Crawford

Improvement Science in A Primer provides a comprehensive overview of improvement science as a framework to guide continuous improvement and reconceptualizes improvement by centering equity and justice as the purpose of improvement. This Primer is designed to introduce improvement science, a methodology with origins in manufacturing, engineering and healthcare, to educational audiences. The book first explores the philosophical and methodological foundations of improvement science, juxtaposing it with traditional forms of research so that clear distinctions can be drawn. Chapters in the latter half of the book introduce the principles of improvement, give guidance and tools for operationalizing the principles in practice, and conclude with questions to ensure you are improving with equity in mind. Constantly reminding readers to think about who is involved and impacted, the Primer makes improvement science accessible to novices and adds critical dimensions for experienced practitioners to consider.

Genres: Education

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2020

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good overview and introduction to the theory and processes behind improvement science with a particular lens aimed at educational equity. With chapters devoted to tools around system mapping, theories of change and driver diagrams, measurement tools, Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, and Network Improvement Communities (NIC), Dr. Hinnant-Crawford provides practical advice and examples for engaging in improvement work in schools. For this alone, this text is a really useful tool in helping schools develop and implement improvement initiatives that will create more equitable experiences for our students.

The text isn’t perfect though. My main criticisms of the text lie in some problems with formatting and publishing and separately the lack of K-12 examples in illustrating the points. Let me tackle each separately.

In terms of formatting, Dr. Hinnant-Crawford has included a number of illustrative diagrams and graphs throughout the text. However, in the paperback edition of the text I have, the text in the diagrams is so small rendering most of the close to useless. Separately, the main text is plagued by typos. Myers Education Press should have a better editor.

Second, I don’t know why but most of the examples that Dr. Hinnant-Crawford cites to illustrate her points come from post-secondary education (community college, on-line learning, university settings). While there is great value in these examples, I would love more examples in K-12. Particularly because the text directly is aimed at improvement science applied in those settings in addition to higher Ed. It is a bit baffling why there wouldn’t be more examples from K-12 considering that all of the examples are hypotheticals with fake institution names.

All of that said, this is still a useful text for introducing educators to tools for creating more equitable experiences and outcomes for our students. Essential for realizing the justice our students deserve.

[Kevin Parkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author was once presenting on improvement science when an audience member asked her if it were possible to use improvement science in tandem with equity work. The question stopped Hinnant-Crawford in her tracks, and she reports having thought: Why else would you use improvement science if you weren't using it for equity work? She saw the integration as not merely possible, but integral. But, she realized that the connection between improvement science and equity work wasn't as obvious to everyone as it was to her. So, she wrote a whole dang book to explain the connection!

That concept alone deserves her many accolades. My review falls short of five stars not because of the author, but because others around her have failed her...

(1) Publisher: In an interview, Hinnant-Crawford reflected that she wanted to write a book for the masses (that is: any random teacher can pick it up), but that her publisher pushed her to write it as a more academic text. That shows. It's full of overly complicated ideas, less-than-accessible vernacular, and parenthetical citations. That is a bit of a shame, and I wish I could have read the book Hinnant-Crawford intended to write.

(2) Editor: There are too many typos in this book. That isn't the author's fault. When I write, I have a billion typos. Editors exist to catch typos in published books, and whoever edited this book failed Hinnant-Crawford. Sadly, those typos could reflect poorly on the author's credibility, which is not her fault.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in improvement science, this is a readable, well presented book. If you have no idea what improvement science is, this is still a good intro.
Clearly a professional, rather than for-pleasure read.

[Marie Schuh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview read for grad school class. Lots of diagrams which was nice.

[Alyson Cochrane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really well written and a source I see myself referencing often as an educator!