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I'm allergic to over-promising. I'm allergic to…

“I'm allergic to over-promising. I'm allergic to exaggeration, because I've been in schools for a large part of my life, and I still go to schools. What I want is realistic, evidence-based kinds of things that know the history of efforts to individualize instruction and why they flop before, so you…” quote by Larry Cuban
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“I'm allergic to over-promising. I'm allergic to exaggeration, because I've been in schools for a large part of my life, and I still go to schools. What I want is realistic, evidence-based kinds of things that know the history of efforts to individualize instruction and why they flop before, so you can have a much smarter approach to reforming schools, to improve what goes on in classrooms.”

Larry Cuban

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker rejects over‑promising and exaggeration, urging realistic, evidence‑based approaches that learn from past failures in individualized instruction.

In simple terms: Avoid hype; use data and history to improve schools.

Key Takeaway

Base reforms on proven evidence, not hype.

Themes

education reform realism evidence individualization

Mood

analytical pragmatic

Type

policy educational

When to use this quote

  • school leadership
  • curriculum design
  • teacher training
  • student outcomes

Key Concepts

policy analysis learning theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • What evidence would convince you to adopt a new method?
  • How can schools balance innovation with proven results?
A Different Perspective

Changing entrenched practices can be politically difficult.

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