KIPP

The Herald reports:

A US charter school guru whose programme was considered a success in poor neighbourhoods has warned against giving contracts to businesses or groups which do not have a long, robust track record in education.

Seems fairly sensible. We know some charter schools do well, and some do not, so the trick is to emulate the ones that do well.

Knowledge is Power Programme (Kipp) co-founder Mike Feinberg, who is on a speaking tour in New Zealand, also backed the Government’s controversial decision to allow unqualified teachers in its proposed Partnership Schools.

Kipp schools were launched in poor American neighbourhoods in 1994, with a policy of longer school days and terms, and a strict code of behaviour for students.

Charter schools have had mixed success in the US, but Kipp schools have a good record in getting underprivileged children into university.

This is what Labour and the Greens are fighting against??

Knowledge is Power Programme:

*125 public charter schools (elementary, middle, high school) with 40,000 students across the US.

*85 per cent of students from low socio-economic backgrounds.

*90 per cent of Kipp students graduate to high school, 80 per cent continue to university.

*Classes run from 7.30am to 5pm weekdays, with 2 to 3 hours homework and extra classes on Saturdays and holidays.

*90 per cent funded by the state, with some private contributions.

*Teachers earn 10 per cent more than in state schools.

*Reported to have a high drop-out rate of students.

Impressive results.