“Schooling and teaching are complex processes deeply nested in one another and the society that provides it. Nested is a fair word to use in capturing the interrelatedness and steadiness in patterns of schooling. Each classroom is part of a school that, in turn, is part of a district, which is located in a state.” – Larry Cuban, The Enduring Classroom, pg 32-33
These chapters really get to the crux of America’s education system. Schools are not just one part of society, rather they are in society, deeply entrenched and woven into the fabric of the nation. The intersectionality of major concepts and issues is hard to conceptualize, but Cuban helps provide a framework for better understanding throughout these chapters.
One of the criticisms I had for the first two chapters is that the history felt light and rushed. Something I appreciate about these next two chapters is that they fill in some of the blanks in the history of education in the United States. Politics, reform, and other movements in society and their impact on education are important things to consider when attempting to answer the questions Cuban asks throughout the book (see the chapter titles).
Another discussion about teacher-centered and student-centered styles is brought up, and Cuban makes a case for a hybrid style of teaching, which integrates progressive instruction into the gestalt of the traditional teacher-centered approach. Choosing the best of multiple styles and integrating them into a unique and personalized teaching style makes for a successful way for newer teachers’ progressive approaches to compromise and exist withing schools’ and districts’ current systems of schooling.
Other random thoughts
- In a reference to a list of controversies that “seize schools,” Cuban includes teaching the theory of evolution, prayer in schools, campus protests, lessons on slavery and racism, and if students and teachers should be masked during COVID. I think Cuban not mentioning school shootings in this list is a serious oversight.
- I find Cuban’s word choice interesting and intentional. For example, he refers to the support “parents and voters” have for public schools.
I look forward to taking some of the insights gleaned from these chapters and applying them to the upcoming podcast conversations.
Check Back
Check back often for more of my thoughts as I post observations, notable quotes, reviews, questions, etc throughout the rest of my reading of this book.