"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 organiations 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 he 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, education reporter, Washington Post; 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 it 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.