KIPP: the Knowledge Is Power Program

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the Knowledge Is Power Program. For the apparatus used in chemical laboratories, see Kipp's apparatus.

Students at KIPP Academy Middle School, Houston, TX

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a nationwide network of free open-enrollment college-preparatory public schools in under-resourced communities throughout the United States.

The schools operate on the principle that there are no shortcuts: outstanding educators, more time in school, a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, and a strong culture of achievement and support will help educationally underserved students develop the knowledge, skills, and character needed to succeed in top quality high schools, colleges, and in the competitive world beyond. Over 95% of KIPP students are African American or Latino/Hispanic; over 75% are eligible for the federally-subsidized meal program. Students are accepted regardless of prior academic record, conduct, or socioeconomic background.

KIPP began in 1994 when teachers Dave Levin and Mike Feinberg completed their Teach For America commitment and launched a program for fifth graders in a public school in inner-city Houston, Texas. While only half of the students passed their fourth grade tests before enrolling in KIPP, more than 90% passed the Texas fifth grade exams in English and mathematics after one year at KIPP. In 1995, Feinberg's KIPP Academy Houston became a charter school, and Levin established KIPP Academy New York in the South Bronx. The original KIPP Academies have a sustained record of high student achievement. The Texas Education Agency has recognized KIPP Academy Houston as an "Exemplary School" for every year of its existence. According to the New York City Department of Education, KIPP Academy New York is the highest performing public middle school in the Bronx. KIPP alumni have earned over $21 million in scholarships for college-preparatory high schools and are continuing to excel in four-year colleges and universities.

Doris and Donald Fisher, co-founders of Gap Inc., formed a unique partnership with Feinberg and Levin to replicate KIPP’s success nationwide. Established in 2000 with a $15 million grant from the Fishers, the nonprofit KIPP Foundation recruits, trains, and supports outstanding teachers in opening and leading high-performing college-preparatory public schools in educationally underserved communities. The foundation helps secure facilities and operating contracts while training school leaders through a yearlong KIPP School Leadership Program that includes an intensive program of coursework at Stanford University run in partnership with the Stanford Educational Leadership Institute (SELI), residencies at other KIPP Schools, and support from KIPP staff.

General Information

KIPP schools run from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and 8:00 am to 12:00 noon on Saturdays. They have a two or three week mandatory summer school and hold extracurricular activities after school and on Saturdays.

Each student receives a paycheck at the end of the week of KIPP dollars they have earned based on academic merit, conduct, and overall behavior. KIPP monies may be spent on whatever the student chooses, from books to laptop computers. End-of-year trips are also earned. They vary from school to school. KIPP Academy Middle School in Houston, TX, for example, sends 5th graders to Washington, DC, 6th graders to Utah, 7th graders to the East coast (NY, CT, NJ, MA) to see a Broadway play, go sightseeing or visit colleges, and 8th graders go to the West coast (CA) to places like Yosemite National Park, Disneyland and other tourist attractions, as well as visiting colleges.

When a students decide that they would like to attend a KIPP school, they undergo a home visit where a teacher or the principal of the school sits down with the family and student(s) to discuss what is required of the students, the teachers, and the parents. They all sign a KIPP contract promising that they will do everything in their power to help the student succeed and go to college. Once the contract is signed, the student is a KIPPster for life. KIPP follows the student's progress during KIPP and even after. The purpose of KIPP is for students to gain a college education, so even after they have finished KIPP, students maintains contact with their college counselor at KIPP. KIPP helps them go to private or boarding schools on full or mostly full scholarship, aids them in finding internships and/or summer progams, and even helps students prepare resumes, seek jobs, and choose careers.