Three Tips From KIPP

I heard some feedback a week ago in response to the NY Times Magazine article that's been the most common critique of KIPP (along with "you're creaming the best kids"): that even if KIPP works, it can't be copied widely -- certainly not by the regular public school system -- because it depends on a) top 1% teachers and b) working teachers unsustainable 16-hour days.  My responses:

A) ALL KIPP schools serve almost exclusively low-income, minority students.  I've visited 20 KIPPs across the country and at 18 of them I didn't see a single white student.  The idea that KIPP is cleverly selecting only the best students who would do great anyway is so LUDICROUS! 

 

That being said, some KIPPs have developed a reputation whereby motivated (read: desperate) parents with bright kids with unrealized potential who are stuck in failing schools (where the kids would likely be sucked down over time by the pervasive failure) have indeed sought out KIPP, which results in the entering KIPP class being slightly ahead of the local neighborhood public school.  But let's be clear what this means: that the average entering KIPP 5th graders are only TWO YEARS BEHIND GRADE LEVEL, rather than three.  THIS is creaming?!

 

B) KIPP is guilty as charged when it comes to only hiring top 1% teachers.  Of course, every school in America can't have all top 1% teachers, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't start IMMEDIATELY to move in this direction by ramping up recruiting, paying great teachers more and quickly weeding out bad teachers -- all things our schools do a TERRIBLE job of today.

 

C) The 16-hour-day is a bit of myth.  Indeed, KIPP teachers are on call 24/7 and work long hours, but no longer than consultants, investment bankers and lawyers (all of whom, unlike teachers, have to do a great deal of travel in addition to long hours), not to mention doctors and many other professions -- and I don't hear people saying investment banking isn't sustainable because of the long hours.

In summary, there are many POWERFUL lessons that KIPP teaches us that can and should be implemented QUICKLY, especially in schools that serve similar students as KIPP.  Susan Schaeffler's Op Ed in the Washington Post today lays out some obvious first steps.

As District Mayor-elect Adrian M. Fenty (D) prepares for his new job, one of his first tasks will be to fulfill his pledge to "fix schools and challenge each child to reach his full potential." I am encouraged about the reforms already implemented by Superintendent Clifford B. Janey combined with the mayor-elect's sense of urgency to improve public education.

As a public school teacher for nine years and the founder of KIPP DC: KEY Academy, which primarily serves students from east of the Anacostia River, I suggest Fenty implement three strategies that have benefited KIPP DC over the past six years:

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Three Tips From KIPP
D.C. Should Empower Principals, Seek Top Teachers, Extend School Day

Sunday, December 3, 2006; B08

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/01/AR2006120101354.html

As District Mayor-elect Adrian M. Fenty (D) prepares for his new job, one of his first tasks will be to fulfill his pledge to "fix schools and challenge each child to reach his full potential." I am encouraged about the reforms already implemented by Superintendent Clifford B. Janey combined with the mayor-elect's sense of urgency to improve public education.

As a public school teacher for nine years and the founder of KIPP DC: KEY Academy, which primarily serves students from east of the Anacostia River, I suggest Fenty implement three strategies that have benefited KIPP DC over the past six years: