KIPP

KIPP, or the Knowledge is Power Program is a highly influential network of charter schools in the US. Like academies and free schools in the UK, charters are schools that are privately operated but publicly funded, but which also receive funding from private donors.

It is the US' biggest chain of charter schools, with 183 schools across the country, serving mainly low-income communities.

KIPP was founded in 1994 by Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, two Teach for America alumni. Richard Barth, CEO of KIPP is a founding member of Teach for America and married to its CEO Wendy Kopp.

Approach to education: 'grit'

KIPP, like Ark in the UK, emphasises discipline and 'behaviour management' before anything else.

Criticism

Hailed by many for raising standards in schools that serve poorer students. Research in 2011 (Miron et al), however, has linked the success of KIPP schools to its selecting particular pupils that are motivated (and that come from motivated families), to its higher funding compared to normal state schools, and high drop-out rates.

Influence in the UK

KIPP is the model for the Ark chain of schools and KIPP schools in the US have been visted by leadership teams from Ark.

KIPP has also been praised by Michael Gove on a number of occassions, and Mike Feinberg from KIPP, attended the UK's first 'free school' conference.

Private funding

As well as receiving public funds, KIPP has attracted additional funds for its schools from, among many others:

• Doris and David Fisher Fund; the Fishers are co-founders of the high street retailer GAP and have been KIPP's leading supporters since 2000, alongside:
• Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

(Broad Foundation

• Robertson Foundation
• Accenture
• Bain & Company
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Walton Family Foundation
• Goldman Sachs Foundation
• Credit Suisse