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KIPP
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| Education policy in the U.S. |
| Public education in the U.S. |
| School choice in the U.S. |
| Charter schools in the U.S. |
| Higher education in the U.S. |
| Glossary of education terms |
| Education statistics |
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KIPP, the common term for the "Knowledge is Power" program, is an initiative to create public charter schools that are specially designed to bring quality education to underserved student demographics. Since it began in 1994, KIPP has spread to 162 schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Approximately 58,000 students are served by approximately 3,800 teachers in 162 KIPP schools across the country. Over 88 percent of these students come from low-income households and are eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program. African American and Latino students comprise 95 percent of all KIPP students. KIPP schools prioritize high graduation rates for both high school and college students.[1][2][3]
The KIPP Foundation
KIPP schools use a multi-faceted approach in hopes of achieving their ultimate goal of giving their students a quality education and high graduation rates. The KIPP Foundation, organized in 2000, is responsible for many of the decisions that affect how KIPP schools function. The Foundation also selects and trains KIPP school leadership and supports KIPP schools in myriad ways, such as creating structure and shared goals for every school in the system.[3][4]
The KIPP Foundation identifies the following as its mission statement:
| “ | To create a respected, influential, and national network of public schools that are successful in helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, character and habits needed to succeed in college and the competitive world beyond.[4][5] | ” |
In addition to the above mission statement, the Foundation has also established what it calls the "five pillars" to describe its approach to education:
| “ |
students’ backgrounds.
college preparatory education as well as the time and effort required to reach success.
and year.
personnel.
|
” |
Graduation rates
As mentioned above, one of the primary goals of KIPP schools is to increase both high school and college graduation rates for students from low-income households. Overall, the program is highly successful: approximately 95 percent of students who completed programs in KIPP middle schools graduate from high school. In addition, the college graduation rates for KIPP students is at 33 percent. This number shatters the national average of 8 percent for students from low-income families. A college graduation rate of 33 percent has not satisfied KIPP leadership, however, as they actively strive to increase college graduation rates until their students meet the national average of about 80 percent.[6][7]
Criticism
Though many view KIPP as a successful program, it is not without its critics. Jay Matthews, a writer from the Washington Post who regularly discusses issues related to KIPP, talks about several criticisms of KIPP schools, acknowledging some points and disputing others. One issue of concern for KIPP critics is the increased funding demands of KIPP schools. However, Matthews raises the point that KIPP schools have longer school days and simply require more financial resources to stay open. Because these schools are designed with the goal of helping students from low-income families succeed, there is also a belief that they make it more difficult for students who do not meet that criteria to enter. However, as KIPP schools are public charter schools, they must adhere to all federal regulations and may not prohibit entry to any student. The only time students are denied entry is when an enrollment limit is reached.[8]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ KIPP.org, "About KIPP," accessed September 29, 2014
- ↑ KIPP.org, "History," accessed September 29, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mathematica Policy Research, "Student characteristics and achievement in 22 KIPP middle schools," accessed October 16, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 KIPP.org, "The KIPP Foundation," accessed October 16, 2014
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ The Washington Post, "KIPP criticizes its college graduation record," accessed October 16, 2014
- ↑ TIME.com, "A reform triumph, or disappointment?" accessed October 16, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "New report from KIPP's leading academic critic," accessed October 20, 2014
