Prepared

What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life

By: Diane Tavenner

Narrated by: Pamela Dillman

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

A blueprint for how parents can stop worrying about their children’s future and start helping them prepare for it, from the cofounder and CEO of one of America’s most innovative public-school networks

“A treasure trove of deeply practical wisdom that accords with everything I know about how children thrive.”—Angela Duckworth, New York Times bestselling author of Grit

In 2003, Diane Tavenner cofounded the first school in what would soon become one of America’s most innovative public-school networks. Summit Public Schools has since won national recognition for its exceptional outcomes: Ninety-nine percent of students are accepted to a four-year college, and they graduate from college at twice the national average.

But in a radical departure from the environments created by the college admissions arms race, Summit students aren’t focused on competing with their classmates for rankings or test scores. Instead, students spend their days solving real-world problems and developing the skills of self-direction, collaboration, and reflection, all of which prepare them to succeed in college, thrive in today’s workplace, and lead a secure and fulfilled life.

Through personal stories and hard-earned lessons from Summit’s exceptional team of educators and diverse students, Tavenner shares the learning philosophies underlying the Summit model and offers a blueprint for any parent who wants to stop worrying about their children’s future—and start helping them prepare for it.

At a time when many students are struggling to regain educational and developmental ground lost to the disruptions of the pandemic, Prepared is more urgent and necessary than ever.

©2019 Diane Tavenner (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[Diane Tavenner] asks the right questions about middle school and high school systems. What she’s done is really amazing.”—Bill Gates, GatesNotes

“Prepared is the conversation we should be having as a nation. Diane Tavenner shows us how authentic, real-world learning and the essential skills of self-direction, collaboration, and reflection can be nurtured both inside and outside of the classroom, giving all parents a valuable guide for helping their children to successfully take on life's challenges.”—Linda Darling-Hammond, professor emeritus, Stanford University and president, Learning Policy Institute

“Prepared tackles the question so many of us parents and educators are grappling with—how do we grow and develop our children and young people so that they can shape a better future for themselves and for all of us? This immensely readable book pulls us along through Diane’s story as a student, parent, and educator who has built some of the most acclaimed schools in the world. It serves as a powerful resource for all of us.”—Wendy Kopp, co-founder and CEO of Teach for All

Must read for anyone for anyone who cares about learning!

If you care about your kids, your own learning or professional development, this is a MUST READ. Anecdotes are pointed and the concepts need to be foundational for the future of learning at schools, colleges and companies alike. For best results I strongly urge reading in combination with Ultralearning by Scott Young.

Educators must read/listen

Very inspiring for anyone who is either an educator or an educational designer. Working on curriculum design and listening to this book at the same time was very helpful! Recommended.

Great resources

I am not a parent yet but u am terrified at the thought of helping my future children navigate the US school system. I hated school. I wasn’t any good and it really took a toll on my self esteem. This book is a great tool to help navigate conventional schooling and learning. Styles. I’m excited to visit their website for more help.

I wish that I had read this book 10 years ago

Having 2 children 1 who is about to graduate from high school and one who is in college I wish that I had read this book years ago. I found the discussions on a how to mentor your child very insightful

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.

Every parent and educator should read this.

As a parent I loved this book! Not only is there practical advice but I think if enough parents read this it could be the start of an education revolution!

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

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.

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!

Required Reading

For any parent looking to help their kids engage and become an active participant in their education