Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP)

Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

  • This strategy can help address educational disparities. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
  • Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Program overview

  • Charter schools with an extended school day and extended school year
  • “High expectations” environment, with focus on high performance in attendance, homework, support for parents, and professional development for teachers
  • Performance-based employment decisions, substantial regional autonomy in leadership practices, training, and resource allocation
Issue Areas
K-12 education
Outcomes
Elementary and middle school success
Strategies
Charter schools
Target Population
All school-aged children
Cost per Participant
Estimated $12,731 per student per year

Evidence and impacts

Proven

Ranked as having the highest level of evidence by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps and Social Programs That Work; the second-highest level of evidence by the U.S. Department of Education What Works Clearinghouse

  • Positive effects on mathematics and English achievement
  • Potentially positive effects on science and social studies achievement for middle and high school students
  • Improved mathematics achievement by an average of 12 percentile points
  • Improved English achievement by 8 percentile points
  • Potentially improved science achievement by 11 percentile points
  • Potentially improved social studies achievement by 5 percentile points

Best practices in implementation

  • Rigorous principal selection and development
  • Leadership team that consists of Principal as instructional leader, Assistant Principal of Operations responsible for all operational duties, and an Assistant Principal who is mentored to be a future Principal.
  • Clear leadership pathways with the expectation that managers are mentoring their direct reports
  • Performance-based teacher and leader contract renewal
  • National Foundation to support learning and improvement across the entire network of KIPP schools

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