I just finished reading Crazy Like a Fox: One Principal's Triumph in the Inner City. I've been an admirer of the work Ben Chavis has done at American Indian Public Charter for some time. He took a school which was going to be closed for poor academic achievement in 1999 and turned it into one of the highest scoring schools in the state. Last year, 88.1% of the school's Hispanic students scored at grade-level on the Language Arts and Math CSTs. At the school, 100% of 8th graders take Algebra I. Last year 100% of those students were proficient on the Algebra I CST.

What he's done at the school, and what others are doing at schools who are utilizing his methods is incredible. I thought the book did a great job of sharing both his personal story, as well as the story of his school, his students and his methods. One of his former teachers, Carey Blakely co-wrote the book from Dr. Chavis' perspective. I thought she did a wonderful job. It was an enjoyable read. I think we need a few more Ben Chavis' running around our educational system.