Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life

Diane Tavenner

A guidebook for a new model of education by one of the founders of Summit Public schools. I picked this up because I have young kids whose education I fuss over and it was on Gates end of the year list of best books.

Lots of good stuff here showing the real-world application of concepts you hear about in the modern schooling environment – whole child, project-based learning, etc. I was most struck by Tavenner’s personal intensity and devotion to the students in her schools. Going to a student’s house prepared to literally take down a door to ensure he got to class is both admirable and hard to replicate on the grand scale. Still lots to learn from here if you’re trying to prepare your child for the contemporary world.

Recommended for the enthusiast.