Report Cards for the Knowledge Is Power Program

The Knowledge Is Power Program—KIPP—an open-enrollment schooling network that serves more than 14,000 children in 17 states and the District of Columbia recently released its fifth annual Report Card. (There is a registration requirement, but logging in is easy and free.)

The report results, based on information from each of KIPP's 55 charter schools and two district contract schools, show strong gains at most schools for the 2007-2008 academic year. The gains may be attributable in part to long hours: KIPP students spend about 60 percent more time in the classroom than typical public school students. A KIPP school day runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional schooling scheduled every other Saturday, and for three weeks over the summer.

The Report Card gives two full pages to each school profiled. The first page deals with school information like enrollments and demographics, while the second looks at student achievement results. The report assesses performance on statewide exams, as well as on exams required of all KIPP students for grades one through eight.