Report and videos from the KIPP Summit

I just got back from the KIPP Summit, which was AMAZING!  Believe it or not, there were 2,800 people there from the KIPP Foundation and the 99 KIPP schools around the country (yes, 99!), including 24 elementary schools and 15 high schools, with total enrollment exceeding 26,000 students in 20 states and DC.  There are currently 1,000 KIPPsters in college, a number that will grow to 10,000 within five years.  It is truly incredible and inspiring to see what KIPP has become – and to think about its future… 

 

Seeing all of those youngsters also made me feel really old, especially when the KIPP Newark folks shanghaied me and kept me out half the night (Don't ask me how I made my 7am flight this morning or what kind of shape I was in… ;-)

 

(Incidentally, this amazing group of people, who really embody everything that KIPP stands for, deserve a special shout out!)

 

Here's a link to the GREAT 6-minute video shown at the closing dinner last night: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBfzzEVICL4

 

Yesterday, there was a showing of the new movie, Waiting for Superman, for 1,400+ KIPP folks (it will be in theaters nationwide in late September; here's the web site with trailer: www.waitingforsuperman.com).  I saw it a few months ago, but it was even more powerful the second time – and it had a similar impact on the audience.

 

After the movie, there was a panel featuring Cory Booker, Wendy Kopp, Howard Fuller and Mike Feinberg, moderated by Stacy Childress, Deputy Director of Education for the Gates Foundation.  All of the panelists were great, but Howard Fuller really stole the show…  I videoed all of it and have posted it in nine segments:

1.     www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9UMPP0GDeg

2.     www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgCUFBgb4TM

3.     www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBH8gIKM9_g

4.     www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNqxhfVK70g

5.     www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzJQ-B6ddUg

6.     www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA-kcfexCg0

7.     www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jyizLKZJOY

8.     www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwHbqzpHI7E

9.     www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb4dXRr-TRE

 

Last but not least, here's a short video of the KIPP Academy String and Rhythm Orchestra, which performed at the gala last night: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpQf4Ui9q6Y