Fifth graders at KIPP schools showed “substantially greater” progress on a nationally normed test than what is considered normal for their grade, a new study has found.
“Focus on Results: An Academic Impact Analysis of the Knowledge Is Power Program,” is available from The Educational Policy Institute.
The study by the Educational Policy Institute, released Aug. 11, examined the scores on the Stanford Achievement Test 9 or 10 given to 1,800 5th graders at 24 KIPP schools in the fall of 2003, and again in either the spring or fall of 2004. Using the normal curve equivalent scale, on which zero is considered normal growth, the cohorts of KIPP students scored average gains of 9 to 17 points across all subject areas.
KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, began in 1994 in Houston. In 2004-05, its approach was being used nationwide in 38 schools, most of which are charter middle schools.
