Comments on: Providing Some Context http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009 Just what it says! Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:27:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Jay Mathews http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009&cpage=1#comment-83593 Jay Mathews Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:30:23 +0000 http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009#comment-83593 Thanks! And while I am here, I thought I might correct a tiny factual flaw in the otherwise brilliant review of my book in the Post on Sunday. The reviewer did what i sometimes do, read the material a bit too quickly. That 60 percent attrition rate is NOT for all KIPP schools in California, but for just the first class that attended just one school (KIPP Bridge in Oakland) which has since gotten much better at persuading students to stay. When I told the Book World folks that I was going to be a grown up and not take a peek at the review in our computer system before it ran, they laughed and informed me that they had erected long ago some kind of firewall that would have kept me from seeing it anyway. The story is the wall went up after another Post reporter, one of the really famous ones, checked out the Post review of one of his books in advance and complained about something. I am sure he was just striving for accuracy, as I would have if I had had the chance. Thanks! And while I am here, I thought I might correct a tiny factual flaw in the otherwise brilliant review of my book in the Post on Sunday. The reviewer did what i sometimes do, read the material a bit too quickly. That 60 percent attrition rate is NOT for all KIPP schools in California, but for just the first class that attended just one school (KIPP Bridge in Oakland) which has since gotten much better at persuading students to stay. When I told the Book World folks that I was going to be a grown up and not take a peek at the review in our computer system before it ran, they laughed and informed me that they had erected long ago some kind of firewall that would have kept me from seeing it anyway. The story is the wall went up after another Post reporter, one of the really famous ones, checked out the Post review of one of his books in advance and complained about something. I am sure he was just striving for accuracy, as I would have if I had had the chance.

]]> By: Jenny http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009&cpage=1#comment-83590 Jenny Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:21:58 +0000 http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009#comment-83590 I will read it. It's not yet in the Fairfax County library system, but I'll be watching for it. I make an effort to read things written by folks with whom I don't agree. There is much for me to learn from them. I'll be back with more comments after reading, I'm sure. I will read it. It’s not yet in the Fairfax County library system, but I’ll be watching for it. I make an effort to read things written by folks with whom I don’t agree. There is much for me to learn from them. I’ll be back with more comments after reading, I’m sure.

]]> By: Tim http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009&cpage=1#comment-83589 Tim Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:21:28 +0000 http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009#comment-83589 Ok, I guess I need to bump Jay's book up a little higher on my reading list. :-) Ok, I guess I need to bump Jay’s book up a little higher on my reading list. :-)

]]> By: Jay Mathews http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009&cpage=1#comment-83587 Jay Mathews Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:39:02 +0000 http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009#comment-83587 Come on guys. Read the book. I often have the same fears about stuff written by people with whom I don't agree, but am often surprised. Let's not turn this fine blog into another exercise in unexamined assumptions. And its only $10.17 on amazon. Come on guys. Read the book. I often have the same fears about stuff written by people with whom I don’t agree, but am often surprised. Let’s not turn this fine blog into another exercise in unexamined assumptions. And its only $10.17 on amazon.

]]> By: Jenny http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009&cpage=1#comment-83586 Jenny Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:40:43 +0000 http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=3009#comment-83586 I have to admit that I've not been brave enough to pick up this book. I'm afraid it would raise my blood pressure to much if I read it. I am reading Paul Tough's book 'Whatever It Takes' about Geoffrey Canada's work in Harlem. Aspects of it are frustrating me as well, but Canada's take on KIPP is fascinating. He believes that his goals are very different from KIPP's. He wants to 'contaminate' Harlem with hard work, positive attitudes, and good parenting. In that way he believes that it is possible for the entire area to improve. He believes that KIPP wants to isolate the best students in a bad neighborhood in order to get them out of there. I have to admit that I’ve not been brave enough to pick up this book. I’m afraid it would raise my blood pressure to much if I read it.

I am reading Paul Tough’s book ‘Whatever It Takes’ about Geoffrey Canada’s work in Harlem. Aspects of it are frustrating me as well, but Canada’s take on KIPP is fascinating. He believes that his goals are very different from KIPP’s. He wants to ‘contaminate’ Harlem with hard work, positive attitudes, and good parenting. In that way he believes that it is possible for the entire area to improve. He believes that KIPP wants to isolate the best students in a bad neighborhood in order to get them out of there.

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