New Report from KIPP Charters

KIPP, the Knowledge is Power Program, recently released a new report card illustrating the progress of KIPP's schools. The results are encouraging. On average, KIPP students who completed all four years at their middle school jumped from the 40th to the 82nd percentile in math and from the 32nd to the 60th percentile in reading.

Also, according to Jay Mathews from the Washington Post, the college matriculation rate of graduates of KIPP middle schools is now 82 percent. This is of great importance because more than two-thirds of the new jobs created in our economy require students to go beyond high school and acquire college education or technical training.

So, why have KIPP schools seen such success?

One reason could be the amount of time their students spend in the classroom. KIPP students are in the classroom up to 60 percent more than regular public school students. KIPP schools also have clearly defined and measurable high expectations for academic achievement. When our students know that we expect more from them – they readily accept the challenge.

I'm a firm believer in this formula: with more time and support for learning coupled with strong, rigorous standards – we will have success.