Work Hard. Be Nice.

Transforming from utter failures in the classroom into superior educators, two Teach for America alumni created a wildly successful fifth-grade program that grew into the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) - today home to sixty-six schools in nineteen states and DC. Through sheer talent and determination, they learned from America's best teachers how to make lessons lively, extend school days, and prioritize homework completion. The KIPP program's success lies in its uplifting chants, songs, and slogans like "Work hard, be nice." This inspiring book by Jay Mathews reveals the ups and downs of KIPP's founders and their students, offering hope for the future of education.