Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2010 > December > 02 > Entry
KIPP Reception at a Pemberton home
When I arrived at Melissa Jones’ discreet, sturdy Pemberton home for a reception, I jokingly informed my host that I knew quite enough about KIPP. I admired what the Houston-based charter schools had done here and across the country. No need for a refresher course on Wednesday.
David Wride and Melissa Jones
I was wrong. I entered Jones’ tall den to find major-league Austin players already setting aside wine glass and savory snacks to soak up data from KIPP Austin operations wiz Sheilah Kavaney . They also asked tough questions of the school staff, many of them about the relative role that parents play in student success. Among the players were Melanie Barnes, Nancy Scanlan, Ken Gladish, Karen Kahan and David Wride, as well as Margo and Grant Thomas.
Karen Kahan and Crystal Cotti
Turns out KIPP has opened 99 schools nationwide (they grow up so fast, don’t they?). The Austin branch wants to expand from four schools and 1,000 students to 10 schools serving 5,000 students. It has already raised more than $17 million from its goal of $30 million for the expansion. Extraordinary.
Melanie Barnes and Sheilah Kavaney
KIPP started with middle schools, the place where low income students usually stumble. It has proven beyond a doubt it can dramatically raise scores and aim students who had little chance at college to institutions of higher learning. I am humbled just to help spread the word.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Education
Comments
When commenting, we ask that you keep things civil and abide by our Visitor Agreement. To report comment abuse, click here.