All KIPP and No Play
February 3, 2006 12:01 PM
KIPP continues to get good press coverage. Tuesday's Washington Post describes some of the difficulties KIPP has faced in trying to open additonal schools in the District, despite its record of success. I feel about KIPP the way I feel about Teach for America- more power to ya'- just don't try and tell me that, if widely replicated, this is the school reform model that will save our urban schools.
I had my own version of a KIPP teaching experience. I taught shoe-shine boys and their siblings at a Catholic mission school in Quito, Ecuador. Here is what my school day looked like:
7:15: Arrive at school
8:00-11:00 Teach classes
11:30-12:00 Mass (OK, I didn't go every day)
12:30-1:30 Help serve lunch
2:00-5:00 Teach classes
5:30-6:30 Eat dinner
7:00-8:30 Teach parents of students
Sounds exhausting? It was- and I was 24! I don't disagree that children in urban schools have incredible educational needs that require a huge influx of attention and resources. However, I don't think that the classroom teacher can, and should, be expected to meet every aspect of their educational needs. It's a recipe for burnout, and the teaching field already has a high level of turnover.
Would I be willing to work at a KIPP school and teach 10 hour days, plus be on call to help children with their homework in the evenings? No. And why not? What is it, what is it . . . Oh yeah, I'm married and have a 13-month old. In short, I have a life that I like and would want to keep. Public school teachers are not missionaries.
Comments
Practices which KIPP has adopted -- such as extended day, after-school tutoring and summer sessions -- have been used for a number of years in many AFT-represented districts to aid struggling schools. AFT is taking a close look at how these practices are implemented in the KIPP model to see if there are new ways of doing things that we can learn. We do have some real questions about the level of resources required, since KIPP admits that they raise significant outside funding to support their model, especially for the after-school program for KIPP alumni in high school and theiir leadership training academy. And the teacher burnout issue you raise, Michele, is an important one that needs more exploration. Are there ways to serve kids for these kind of extended hours other than working 16 hours?
Posted by: Nancy at AFT | February 3, 2006 05:05 PM
You have to take Jay Mathews' reporting with a grain of salt when he writes about charter schools. Last month he wrote, "Each charter school story has something to teach us, since they are almost all founded by great educators who had some ideas they just had to try."
Almost all founded by great educators...? Maybe that's true of KIPP, which seems to be the real deal. But does Mathews really think that's an apt description for the large and growing number of for-profit charter school operators.
They're in it because it pads their wallets or feeds their egos. If charter schools' staunch supporters don't do something to maintain quality, we're going to see only a few more KIPPs and many more charter schools run by people with far less competence, integrity, compassion and commitment.
Posted by: Barb | February 4, 2006 10:22 AM
Teacher burnout. How many years do teachers stay at a KIPPS school before they leave. 1 to 2!
Posted by: Chaz | February 4, 2006 01:31 PM
An article from last April in the Austin American Stateman reported that teacher turnover in Texas charter schools appears to be higher than in public schools and that charter schools employ less experienced teachers.
KIPP schools in Texas, though, had lower teacher turnover rates than other public schools. Nearly 70% of KIPP teachers had 5 years of experience or less. That was nearly twice the rate of inexperienced teachers reported for public schools.
Posted by: John | February 4, 2006 02:19 PM
What is a KIPP School?
I agree that no one looks forward to working 10 to 16 hours a day. Most of the problems start with the families of the children and not our Education Department. Speaking of which...parents are caregivers, Not the Public Schools. If a child is not doing well in school it is usually due to poor family structure. The School is not GOD! Education can't solve everything....
Posted by: cathy russell | February 7, 2006 09:13 PM
According to information on the KIPP Web site, www.kipp.org, KIPP is a network of free open-enrollment college-preparatory public schools in under-resourced communities throughout the United States.
KIPP stands for Knowledge is Power Program.
Posted by: john | February 7, 2006 09:27 PM
I retired from teaching after 34 years. I have seen fads come and go with results that were appalling. The secret to great results is no secret at all: well paid professionals, good instructional supplies, and support by the community.
That is opposite of what the power structure is doing now. It is tearing apart the teacher's union as "terrorists", creating discord within the teaching community, and skepticism by parents.
Let the teachers teach...should be our motto. We are the professionals who spent all the time in the classroom learning what works and what doesn't.
Posted by: Donald, Member UFT, NYC | February 9, 2006 08:38 AM
Kipp has done wonders for my son. Thanks Kipp
Posted by: Anonymous | July 20, 2006 05:18 AM
Mabey you dont like salary in school?
Posted by: Dmitry | March 28, 2007 03:08 AM