Voices of Determination
 Voices
of Determination tells the
stories of ten children who
overcame extraordinarily
difficult circumstances to get
an education and end the cycle
of generational poverty. It
debunks the myth that children
are victims of circumstance. In
this moving work, Kevin P.
Chavous argues that children can
and will succeed if adults
responsible for the system
provide them with the education
they crave and so richly
deserve.
Advance Praise for Voices of
Determination:
“Kevin
Chavous is an expert on American
education policy, having been an
elected member of the D.C.
Council in our nation’s capital.
He dealt with Congress
and the major national
organizations on a number of
issues.
In D.C. he is Mr.
Education.
He knows all the devices
that have been used to keep
schools from getting better, and
has found ways to remove many of
them.
But in this book he
leaves the hearing rooms and
think tanks and explores the
heart of the issue, the students
who are struggling to learn.
He tells the stories of
ten young people who fought for
an education, for a chance for a
better life, and with the help
of tough teachers found a way to
get there.
It is a book full of
heart by a man who knows
everything there is to know
about what we need to do to save
our schools.”
-Jay
Mathews, Washington Post
education reporter; New York
Times bestselling author, ‘Work
Hard, Be Nice’
"With
sensitivity and an eye for
detail, Kevin Chavous tells the
stories of kids who faced
enormous challenges and still
found the strength to get an
education that changed their
lives.
By bringing these
compelling human stories to the
debate about school reform, this
book provides a much-needed
reminder that, while adults
argue about policy, the lives of
our children hang in the
balance."
-Joel Klein, chief executive
NewsCorp’s educational division,
former Chancellor, New York City
Public Schools
“Through Voices of
Determination, Kevin Chavous
sends a message that needs to be
heard. That message is that our
children possess enormous
strength and potential. His
presentation of the stories of
the ten heroic young people
leaves us awed by the strength
of their will and resiliency.
The stories of these young
heroes make clear that we as
adults do them an immense
injustice when we underestimate
their potential, or fail to
provide them the support they
deserve. Voices of Determination
is a must read.”
-Rod Paige, former U.S.
Secretary of Education
“One of the nation’s foremost
education reform advocates,
Kevin Chavous is also a master
storyteller.
In sharing the struggles
and triumphs of these courageous
and inspiring young people, he
vividly shows us that a
determined human spirit can
succeed, despite the odds.”
-Ed Lewis, co-founder, former
publisher and CEO of Essence
Magazine; Board Chair, Harlem
Village Academies
“In Voices of Determination,
Kevin Chavous introduces us to
ten remarkable young people who
embody the determination and
courage of the human spirit.
They should inspire all
of us to continue to fight for
equal access to a high quality
education for all children to
ensure they can achieve their
highest dreams and potential.”
-Cory Booker, Mayor, Newark, New
Jersey
“Voices of Determination is a
must-read for anyone involved in
public education reform today.
It single-handedly
debunks the myth that children
are victims of their
circumstance.
For those who believe
that our urban schools cannot be
fixed because of the complex and
intractable issues of poverty,
Kevin Chavous provides an
indisputable refutation.
Our children can and will
succeed if we, as the adults
responsible for the system,
provide them with the education
they crave and so richly
deserve. ”
-Michelle Rhee, Founder and CEO
Students First, former
Chancellor, DC Public Schools
“Kevin
Chavous is a true reformer and
fighter in education who has led
the effort to provide
educational choices to students
in Washington, D.C.
He understands that our
children will determine the
future success of our nation.
The heroic tales in this
book inspire us all to work to
ensure that no child is left
behind.”
-Margaret Spellings, former U.S.
Secretary of Education
“This
book is about life.
It is the story of a man
and how he came to value
education so much.
It’s the story of how one
person’s experience can shape a
dream--and a lifelong
commitment--for others.
Through his special lens,
Kevin Chavous takes us on his
journey, and by extension, the
journey of a handful of children
who represent all of our kids.”
-Jeanne Allen, President, the
Center for Education Reform
“Kevin
Chavous’ work offers an honest
portrayal of the fact that
educators and community leaders
cannot control where a student
comes from.
It reminds us that our
children are capable of beating
the odds, if only we can empower
those educators willing to place
the bet.
Equally important,
Chavous understands that
policymakers need these real
life stories every bit as much
as we need statistics in making
our case to the public for
meaningful reform.”
-Dr.
Tony Bennett, Indiana
Superintendent of Public
Instruction
See:
www.transactionpub.com
www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
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