Courtesy of The 74 Million
https://www.the74million.org/
Transcript
Jay Mathews discusses his experiences with transformative educators, starting with Jaime Escalante in Los Angeles, who inspired him to believe in the potential of inner-city students. He then highlights the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) schools, which embody Escalante’s principles of high expectations, extended learning time, and a supportive community atmosphere. Mathews recounts the challenges faced by KIPP founders Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, including resistance from school administrators, and their success in creating energetic, collaborative learning environments. He emphasizes the potential of charter schools to revolutionize public education and expresses hope that traditional schools will adopt similar practices.
Action Items
- [ ] Write a book exploring the personal relationships and connections among the leaders of KIPP and other successful charter organizations.
Outline
Jaime Escalante’s Impact on Education
- Jay Mathews recounts his experience in Los Angeles in 1987, where he met Jaime Escalante, a teacher who inspired him.
- Escalante’s innovative teaching methods, including giving inner-city kids more time and encouragement, led to 25% of Mexican American students passing the Advanced Placement calculus exam.
- Jay Mathews contrasts Escalante’s success with the lack of similar achievements in other schools, highlighting the skepticism of many educators.
- Jay Mathews draws parallels between Escalante’s methods and those of KIPP, a charter school network, noting their shared emphasis on high expectations, extended learning time, and community spirit.
Introduction to KIPP and Its Founders
- Jay Mathews describes meeting Susan Scheffler, a DC teacher, and her ambitious goal for her fifth-grade students to all go to college.
- The speaker notes the similarities between Scheffler’s approach and Escalante’s, including high expectations and extended learning time.
- Jay Mathews begins to research KIPP, interviewing its founders, Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, who were known for their energetic and charismatic personalities.
- Jay Mathews shares anecdotes about the founders’ personalities and their ability to generate stories, even during high-speed car rides.
Challenges and Support for KIPP Founders
- Jay Mathews discusses the initial resistance and annoyance towards Feinberg and Levin, similar to the resistance Escalante faced.
- The founders developed relationships with key figures in their districts, such as Anne Patterson in Houston and Susan Winston in New York, who supported their efforts.
- Jay Mathews recounts a story where Feinberg’s students wrote letters to school board members to secure a new building, highlighting the founders’ innovative and assertive methods.
- Jay Mathews reflects on the negative reactions these methods often elicited, noting that pushing for higher standards can create tension and resistance.
Positive Atmosphere in KIPP Schools
- Jay Mathews is impressed by the energetic and engaged atmosphere in KIPP schools, contrasting it with the listlessness often seen in inner-city schools.
- Jay Mathews describes a math lesson in a KIPP school, where students were highly engaged and the room was buzzing with activity.
- The relationships between teachers and principals in KIPP schools were positive and collaborative, unlike the conflicts often seen in other schools.
- Jay Mathews notes that the principal’s ability to hire and fire teachers created a cohesive and motivated team, which produced a unique and effective educational environment.
The Importance of Charter Schools
- Jay Mathews argues that charter schools, like KIPP, are the most important and exciting developments in public education.
- Jay Mathews criticizes the idea of vouchers as a reform method, noting the lack of sufficient private schools to accommodate students.
- Charter schools, with their potential for unlimited growth, offer a more promising solution, according to the Jay Mathews
- Jay Mathews believes that regular public schools are beginning to adopt charter-like methods, which is a positive trend.
Personal Reflections and Future Plans
- Jay Mathews reflects on his long-term involvement with KIPP, noting his relationships with the founders and their continued success.
- The speaker mentions his annual list of high schools and his column, which he continues to write despite his age.
- He expresses interest in writing a book that explores the personal relationships and human stories within the charter movement.
- Jay Mathews sees potential for charter methods to spread to regular public schools through partnerships and innovative superintendents.
