Editorial
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But as evidence from the 20-year-old charter experiment mounts, the snipers are in need of a new argument. There's little doubt left that top-performing charters have introduced new educational models that have already achieved startling results in even the most difficult circumstances. >
FOR years, KIPP Reach College Preparatory in Oklahoma City has been one of Oklahoma's best schools while serving low-income students from the urban core. A new study of Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) schools nationwide shows KIPP Reach is not an anomaly. >
In my last post, I discussed results from a new Mathematica study that shows KIPP middle school students make substantial academic gains in all subjects and grades. Today I want to talk about how cage-busting has propelled KIPP to grow and improve over the past 20 years. >
As Gov. Pat McCrory begins his first term, I hope he will fulfill his election night promise to “bring this state together.” One critical way he can do this – and at the same time improve the long-term health of our state – is by focusing on public education. >
For decades, educators and elected officials in North Carolina have been grappling with the most effective ways to improve the quality of public education. Now, a new international study of science and mathematics achievement is showing us where we have succeeded, and where we can go from here. >
While public education spending has nearly doubled in the past 20 years, student achievement has remained relatively flat. To really make change possible, funding must be combined with innovative approaches, visionary leadership and policy support. >
During the 2012 election season, we were flooded with information from all sides. While politics absorbed most of our attention, there was one report that came out to relatively little fanfare. But its findings have crucial ramifications for our entire economy, right down to how we educate our children. >
Now that the election is over, it's time to look forward to January 2013. That's when the Tennessee General Assembly will convene to start putting into effect the ideas and solutions that were brought up before Election Day. >
When Marylanders cast their ballots on Election Day, they said "yes, you can" to same-sex couples who want to get married, to young people whose families immigrated here illegally and who hope to receive in-state tuition, and to casino operators who want to expand their operations here. Now, as we move forward from this election, it's time to say "yes, you can" to another group of Marylanders who are no less deserving of affirmation: public school students from underserved communities. >
The election is over. The votes have been counted. Voters gave both President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon a second term in office. Now we turn to the hard work: addressing the crucial issues that drove Missourians to the polls. >
Over the past four years, we have made great strides, and in Tennessee this has been a largely bipartisan effort. The federal Race to the Top competition awarded funds to states such as Tennessee that encouraged high standards for evaluating teachers, opened doors for charter schools and paved the way for more rigorous standards. >
On Oct. 2, we were at Penn for a very special occasion: a ceremony to cement the partnership between my alma mater and the Knowledge Is Power Program, the charter school network I helped found with other teachers including Penn alumni...To me, it felt like coming full circle. After more than 20 years as an educator, I thought back to where it all started — with a Teach For America sign-up sheet. >
When people ask me why I decided to become an education leader, I tell them about Jeremy. I met Jeremy shortly after I graduated from the University of Richmond. Armed with a degree in American History, I knew only two things: that I wanted to teach and that I wanted to help fight poverty. Dr. Rick Mayes steered me toward Teach For America, and I realized I could combine my two passions by joining. >
On a snowy day in January 2003, as I was about to begin my last semester at Colby, I got some news that would change my life. I had been accepted to Teach For America and would be moving to Phoenix after graduation. >
When Dave Levin and I first came up with the idea for KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) in 1993, the common wisdom was that the traditional school calendar offered plenty of time for students to learn. But it seemed clear to us that that wasn’t true. As young fifth grade teachers in an underserved Houston neighborhood, we watched our students leave our class prepared and optimistic at the end of the year, only to fall behind in the higher grades. >
While education reformers in America may have different approaches and philosophies, they all share the same goal -- opening doors of opportunity for students, especially those from underserved communities. After 20 years of teaching and leading in public schools, I've seen firsthand what happens when you free up teachers to teach and principals to lead. In my experience, giving educators the freedom to innovate is the key to setting up underserved students for success in college and in life. >
[KIPP] has 520 students enrolled in its high and middle schools at the former Caldwell Elementary. With approval to add two more schools, it projects total enrollment next year will be 850 students, and in 2013 that number could increase again substantially, thanks to a $3 million grant from the Denver-based Charter School Growth Fund. KIPP expects to have 4,500 students in 10 schools by 2015. >
Providing an excellent education for all students--especially the 16 million children growing up in poverty-- requires extraordinary commitment. These individuals, who aren't often in the national spotlight, demonstrate the leadership we need to ensure all children gain the skills necessary to get to and through college. >
This fall, Gov. Mary Fallin upped the stakes for public education in Oklahoma. As part of the national Complete College America initiative, she vowed to increase the number of Oklahoma students earning college degrees by 67 percent over the next 12 years. >
In an era when our economic future and competitiveness are increasingly dependent on having a highly skilled workforce, the importance of education and college preparedness has never been more urgent. >
In discussions and debates about longer school days, people commonly assume that extending the day by 90 minutes is all about adding 90 minutes of reading or math instruction. But that's not the case. >
It's no coincidence that Houston has launched several of the country's best charter schools, and one of its most reform-minded school districts. New ideas make this city's heart beat. >
AFTER a summer of budget cuts in Washington and state capitals, we have only to look to our schools, when classes begin in the next few weeks, to see who will pay the price. The minimum required school day in West Virginia is already about the length of a “Harry Potter” double feature. >
As the co-founders of KIPP, the best-known and most successful public charter school network in the country, Dave Levin and Mike Feinberg have devoted most of their energies to leading the KIPP schools in their regions — New York City for Levin and Houston for Feinberg. >
The recent announcement by KIPP Memphis that it plans to open two charter schools in 2012 can be a cause for celebration or cause for concern. Those polar opinions are based on one's perspective on whether charter schools are an important weapon in the fight to improve student academic achievement or if charters undermine public schools. >
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