In the final chapter of Outliers, Gladwell profiles teachers and students at a KIPP Academy in New York. History, from www.kipp.org:
KIPP began in 1994 with a powerful idea: to create a classroom that helped children develop the knowledge, skills, character, and habits necessary to succeed in college and build a better tomorrow for their communities. Founders Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin began by redefining what was possible for a classroom of public school students in Houston. The following year, they opened two KIPP middle schools, one in Houston and one in New York City. By 1999, these original KIPP charter schools were among the highest-performing schools in their respective communities.
This "powerful idea" turned out to benothing short of amazing. KIPP teaches kids who are disadvantaged in so many ways, creates high expectations, gives them extra time in school, demands the support of their families and their own commitment - and sends most of them on to college, where they continue to succeed. In a way, KIPP represents all of the values that Gladwell defines as making a person successful: a supportive village, putting in the time, working hard.
Overall, this book was an interesting read, and challenged some of my beliefs. I didn't completely agree with all of Gladwell's assertions; some felt a little too pat and tied with a ribbon. But the concept that with hard work and support we can create our own success is one that I agree with.
