Prepared

Terrible messages

I saw this was on Bill Gates’ recommended list so got it - it’s a soap box for Summit schools supported by the Gates Foundation. This book has little depth but reminds me of the problems of today’s school system. Everything has to be fun - so all learning is group-based “project-based learning.” I agree you have to know the relevance of your work but you also have to sit down and get work done. Memorize and study. The author, who started Summit, defends that kids don’t have a textbook but instead learn by videos. How does that prepare you for real world. And one kid tried a computer programming internship but didn’t like it because he only likes working in teams. My interpretation - he has no idea how to sit down and do work on his own. How can we compete with kids from China, Korea, or India if kids here are so spoon faced and avoid the hard work of studying, memorizing, referencing text books. The author didn’t let her son do traditional martial arts because it is competitive with tests and winners. She says in multiple examples everyone is a winner and there should be no test to say otherwise. For instance everyone in a class pops balloons and is disappointed to learn the lesson is there is no winner. Is our bar in the U.S. this low? This is not just about a school for at-risk youth this is the mentality of the next generation that leaves us eating the dust of other countrys’ success. I had to stop listening.

12 people found this helpful

Doesn't deliver

The combination of the author's writing style and the narrator's voice often come across as pompous. The book can't quite decide what it wants to be and results in an awkward mixture of autobiography and ad for the author's Summit school system in the Bay area. Early in the book, the author promises practical advice for parents and educators who want to empower children to be prepared adults. However, the author only gives vague examples until one of the final chapters quickly lists some concrete strategies that don't require sending your child to one of the narrator's Summit schools. There are some interesting ideas but they are covered in early chapters and the book is pretty repetitive from thereon out. The author repeats the statistic that 98% of Summit students are accepted to college. However, she never really discusses other factors that might impact that number such as the overall student demographics, teacher-to-student ratio, funding per pupil (although start-up funding is mentioned at point), etc. Overall, the book isn't nearly as helpful or insightful as it promises to be.

2 people found this helpful

Great for anyone working with school-aged kids

Wonderful insights that the normal educational system is too afraid to attempt. Start from scratch today, knowing what we know now, and you'll have a system that prepares kids for any successful future. should be required reading for all superintendents and school boards.

1 person found this helpful

Hurray for Summit Schools?

If you are going to listen to this, listen to it on 150% playback. The narrator read what is essentially a 8 hour pitch for why a school your kids likely don't have access to is the best possible school, in the most breathy and drawn out manner possible.

With that said, I will admit there are some interesting takeaways from this book... especially around defining the building blocks for successful learning, instilling a self directed mindset, and the benefits of project based learning. However everything else is the biography for Summit schools... of which there are only a handful in the Seattle, Tacoma, San Francisco, and San Jose areas. For everyone else this book simply highlights the problems in your local schools, most of which are out of your direct control.

In summary I suppose... this book is great for starting a movement to reform how we teach our kids, and total rubbish for helping parents who purchased it get their children actually "Prepared" for a fulfilling life.

1 person found this helpful

loved the ideas about education, but

loved the ideas about education, but I was painfully struggling with the overly sticky narrator voice and talk about the author's feelings

Insightful

Thought this was really insightful regarding rethinking school but also reminded me of what’s needed for my personal success as well. It’s never too late!

a new path for education

great success story in education, but I wonder what has been done for those kids that don't learn the same way or have disabilities. A 21st century approach hopefully can be replicated and teachers mindset can be changed.

Revolutionary

This book is fabulous. It’s everything our public ed teachers need to hear and be doing! Stop using the system as an excuse for not preparing kids. Just do it!

To survive the noise of parenting

Must read for parents that have children entering schools, as early as possible. But you need to have an open mind and persistent to change

Smart ideas

This book is full of a lot of smart ideas. Most of them, educators have known for a very long time. However,We don’t usually have the tools or resources to do anything about it. This book offers resources that can help. I hope that some of them do. They seem to be working for the author.