Larry Cuban, Institute for Educational Leadership, September 2001
Writing for the Institute for Educational Leadership, Stanford Professor (and former school superintendent) Larry Cuban has written what he terms a "politically incorrect" ten-page essay about urban school leadership. It's politically incorrect on several fronts, and possibly just incorrect as well. The author seeks to distinguish urban school reform (and leadership) from other kinds, and winds up concluding that urban schools really are different on several dimensions. He makes some good points. Unfortunately, he also uses this "diversity" to raise doubts about standards-based reform as it applies to urban schools. If you'd like to read it (it's really short!), you can download a PDF version from http://www.iel.org/programs/21st/reports/urbanlead.pdf. You could also request a copy by e-mailing [email protected] or phoning (202) 822-8405 or writing the Institute for Educational Leadership, 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20036.
