This book tells the story of two young educational entrepreneurs who created a school that focused on closing the academic achievement gap, while also improving the lives of many struggling low-income students. Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin are the founders of KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) charter school. Much like Wendy Kopp's memoir, founder of Teach For America (TFA), this impressively written account of the initial inception of KIPP, is full of vivid accounts of the trials and tribulations Mike and Dave confronted on their quest to provide children a better education.The biggest take-away from this book, is that any school can provide children a stellar education. The crucial differences between KIPP and public schools simply come down to a lack of clarity, purpose, and a preeminent passion for good teaching. Good teaching - passionate teaching - is really all that is needed to transform a mediocre school, into an educational powerhouse, as underscored in this book.
Jay Mathews covers education for the Washington Post. He is the author of six books, including Escalante: The Best Teaching in America.
