Any KIPP Students, Parents, Teachers Reading Out There? Contact Me

by Clay Burell · 2009-02-03 07:00:00 UTC
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Jay Matthews, education writer for the Washington Post, is getting a lot of bling for his new book on the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) charter schools, called Work Hard. Be Nice. Education Sector hosted a one-hour panel to discuss the book last week - you can listen to it here, though the audio player's lack of a pause button and other unwieldy things made that aversive for me. Gotham Schools gives a summary of his list of "Seven Myths About KIPP Schools," below, that must make the KIPP folks real happy. Those alleged myths are:

1. KIPP is militaristic.
2. KIPP’s curriculum is characterized by “drill and kill.”
3. “KIPP is just a lot of white people telling black people what to do."
4. “KIPP always brags about how they are saving the inner-city.”
5. KIPP resists outside analysis.
6. KIPP kicks out misbehaving or low-performing students.
7. KIPP students come from families that are more active in their lives than the families of traditional public school students.

I'd love to interview any students, parents, teachers, or others with direct, inside experience of KIPP schools to hear their views on Matthews' claims. If that describes you or someone you know, please get in touch by sending me a private message. Or chime in in comments.

Clay Burell
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