On the rocketship - Richard Whitmire

PRAISE FOR ON THE ROCKETSHIP

On the Rocketship captures the week–by–week drama of a group of entrepreneurs, parents, and teachers as they fight to bring high quality schools to more students. The work isn
t easy; I
m sure there were many days that founder John Danner wished he were back at a tech startup. But unless our nation intends to break its promise to educate all kids, the work has to be done.


REED HASTINGS, founder of Netflix

A powerful story that shines a spotlight on the importance of quality educational options. Whitmire offers keen insights and lessons about the value of collaboration among educators to ensure every student is set up for success in school and in life.


MIKE FEINBERG and DAVE LEVIN, cofounders of KIPP

Worried about where our public schools are going? You must read this book. Whitmire has written a deep and dramatic account of the turmoil over education reform across the country. He exposes both the triumphs and disasters of the Rocketship schools, and much of the rest of the charter school movement. Whether you love these reforms or hate them, this is the best book yet about what is really going on.


JAY MATHEWS, Washington Post columnist and author of Work Hard. Be Nice.

To truly prepare every student in America for success in college, career, and life, today
s schools must innovate rapidly and continually evolve. Whitmire examines how Rocketship has embraced this theory of change. He does a phenomenal job highlighting the strategies, challenges, and successes that are possible when educators embrace innovation and set out to create a personalized learning experience for every student.


DIANE TAVENNER, CEO and founder, Summit Public Schools

Rocketship is among the most interesting stories in education today because the schools show vividly the challenges and opportunities of creating better schools. Whitmire tells the Rocketship story with characteristic color and an eye toward its broader implications for American education. Whatever you think of charter schools or education reform you must engage with the ideas in this book.


ANDREW ROTHERHAM, cofounder of Bellwether Education Partners, author of Eduwonk.com

RICHARD WHITMIRE, a veteran newspaper reporter and former editorial writer at USA Today, is author of The Bee Eater: Michelle Rhee Takes on the Nation s Worst School District. He is also author of Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Education System That s Leaving Them Behind.