Observations from a charter school visit

A friend of mine recently visited a charter school and had the following comments:

The visit to the school was fascinating.  It really shows the difference between a top-tier charter run by a fantastic leader versus a mediocre charter school run by a mediocre leader.  I wish I had a picture of the classrooms for you.  If you put your classroom pictures from KIPP AMP [see www.tilsonfunds.com/Personal/KIPPAMP] next to a picture from the school I visited, it would tell the whole story.  At KIPP AMP, what is most telling about your pictures is how attentive every student is.  Each child is sitting up straight, eyes focused on the teacher or the speaker.  The classrooms are tidy and the desks are cleared off except for the children’s single notebook.  The students are clearly engaged and soaking in the learning.  At the school I visited, the desks were scattered somewhat haphazardly.  The kids desks were so cluttered with books and notebooks that several students were taking notes with their notebooks on their laps. Few kids were sitting up straight at their desks and tracking the teacher; many were slouching with eyes wondering.  It was a startling contrast.  The saving grace was that when the teacher asked a question, numerous hands went up – an encouraging sign that the kids are listening and care about learning. 

Despite my critique, it is maddening to know that the school I saw is outperforming the local public schools – so on the one hand, I’m thrilled that these kids are learning in a safe/clean environment with teachers and school leaders that care and are really trying; but on the other hand, when you see how well it can be done at KIPP, it’s frustrating to see a school like the one I did.  It was perfectly clear that the school leader makes all the difference.