In general, I would resist blaming the kids. But the vast majority of kids are not to blame for this situation. What we do is look for solutions. But teachers have to do differently. Administrators have to do differently.
Parents have to do differently.
Describe the adversities KIPP students face in their home lives. But we've got plenty of kids who don't have difficult situations. To paint a blanket stroke is difficult, but the fact that we are located in the poorest, most violent congressional district in the nation probably paints a picture of the challenges the kids face in general. It's how you build relationships and how people with different backgrounds work together. If you can connect with people, you connect with people.