KIPP Baltimore is Expanding

KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) is expanding as they are opening an elementary school in Baltimore City. I applaud the efforts of KIPP to expand their local efforts as well as their efforts across the nation. I respectfully question the idea behind working backwards and creating an elementary school when the needs of the students in this city seem to point in the opposite direction.

If one of the major issues in Baltimore is to reduce the amount of students who drop out which usually happens in high school, why not create a KIPP high school rather than an elementary school? I understand the vision of KIPP and its founders and respect their efforts and dedication, but why not examine the obvious needs of the location and try to support the efforts of the city's school system? I know KIPP has their reasons, prepare the students in primary grades and instill in them tools they can carry straight through middle school especially when they are in the midst of their primary and secondary cognitive development stages. I understand that there was definitely some planning involved. I merely believe in keeping things simple when responding to the needs of the child.

If there is a need to address the urgency and critical situation that has been created by the city's drop out rate then maybe it would have been wonderful to offer options to parents who feel helpless when their children are not finishing their studies. I think KIPP's efforts help underachieving students with opportunities to maximize their potential and abilities but perhaps sharing in the efforts of the city's bold goals would help tremendously. I would think that even high school students would embrace an extended day program and opportunities to travel and apply their knowledge to different learning situations which can change their perspectives and probably change the course of their immediate future.

KIPP has a few high schools across the US, so I think creating a HS model would not have been too difficult. I think charter schools sometimes receive a bad rap and are know for doing their own thing. I think creating a high school would have helped bridge the gap that charters might experience as part of a the traditional system. Speaking to the urgent needs of the community and its students can assist in strengthening the relationship between KIPP and BCPSS and forging ahead as partners in education.