Tyranny of the Textbook

An Insider Exposes How Educational Materials Undermine Reforms

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Education & Teaching, Educational Theory, Curricula, Educational Reform
Cover of the book Tyranny of the Textbook by Beverlee Jobrack, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Beverlee Jobrack ISBN: 9781442211438
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Publication: December 23, 2011
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Language: English
Author: Beverlee Jobrack
ISBN: 9781442211438
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publication: December 23, 2011
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Language: English

Educational reforms and standards have been a topic of public debate for decades, with the latest go-round being the State Common Core Curriculum Standards. But time and again those reforms have failed, and each set of standards, no matter how new and different, has had little impact on improving student achievement. Why? The textbooks. Textbooks sell based on design and superficial features, not because they are based on the latest research on how children learn and how well they promote student achievement. In Tyranny of the Textbook, Beverlee Jobrack, retired from educational publishing, sheds light on why this happens. She gives an engaging and fascinating look behind-the-scenes of how K-12 textbooks are developed, written, adopted, and sold. And, perhaps most importantly, she clearly spells out how the system can change so that reforms and standards have a shot at finally being effective.

Did you know?

  • Reform efforts have focused on writing and rewriting standards and tests, but these rarely have any effect on the core curriculum that is published.

  • School districts and states don't use effectiveness as a criterion for evaluating and purchasing textbooks.

  • Publishers don't offer textbooks with better content or the latest teaching methods because teachers don't want textbooks that require them to change their practices.

  • Teachers report that they don't rely on a textbook in their class, but research shows that they do.

  • Three companies publish 75 percent of the K-12 educational materials.

  • Those three companies are producing similar programs with the same instructional strategies, none of which require teachers to change their practices significantly.

  • Publishers write textbooks for California and Texas. All of the other markets have to make do with books only superficially adjusted for their states.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Educational reforms and standards have been a topic of public debate for decades, with the latest go-round being the State Common Core Curriculum Standards. But time and again those reforms have failed, and each set of standards, no matter how new and different, has had little impact on improving student achievement. Why? The textbooks. Textbooks sell based on design and superficial features, not because they are based on the latest research on how children learn and how well they promote student achievement. In Tyranny of the Textbook, Beverlee Jobrack, retired from educational publishing, sheds light on why this happens. She gives an engaging and fascinating look behind-the-scenes of how K-12 textbooks are developed, written, adopted, and sold. And, perhaps most importantly, she clearly spells out how the system can change so that reforms and standards have a shot at finally being effective.

Did you know?

More books from Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Cover of the book Infancy by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book Great Britons of Stage and Screen by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book Interpreting African American History and Culture at Museums and Historic Sites by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book The Gallup Poll by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book The Truth About Exercise Addiction by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book The Changing Politics of Gun Control by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book Perspectives in Waging Conflicts Constructively by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book A Case for the Divinity of Jesus by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of Architecture by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book Hardball Leadership by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book A Center in the Cyclone by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book British Foreign Policy, National Identity, and Neoclassical Realism by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book Classroom Keyboard by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book Happiness in America by Beverlee Jobrack
Cover of the book Early Childhood Education by Beverlee Jobrack
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy