SRI International Reports Key Findings in Evaluation of Bay Area KIPP Schools

New SRI Study Finds that Bay Area KIPP Schools Put Program in Place Quickly and Post Test Score Gains

MENLO PARK, Calif., March 16, 2006 - SRI International's Center for Education Policy today announced key findings in a report marking the end of the first year of a three-year independent evaluation of five KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) schools operating in the San Francisco Bay Area. SRI launched the study in October 2004 at the request of and with support from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation of Menlo Park, CA. Among the findings, the report indicates that students attending Bay Area KIPP schools score consistently higher on standardized tests than for comparable public neighborhood schools across grades and subjects -- in a few cases dramatically so.

KIPP schools are free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter public schools for historically underserved students that significantly increase the amount of instructional time and the efficiency of learning during that time. By emphasizing college preparation and a strong culture of achievement and discipline, KIPP schools expect their students to develop the knowledge, skills, and character needed to succeed in top-quality high schools, colleges, and the competitive world beyond.

Characteristics and Key Findings

The five Bay Area KIPP schools evaluated in the study were all less than three years old and served more than 700 students in grades 5, 6, and 7 in 2004-2005. On average, the schools served 72% economically disadvantaged students and 75% African-American or Latino students. Each of the five schools -- located in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and San Lorenzo -- is expanding rapidly by adding a new grade level each year.

The primary goals of SRI's ongoing study are to describe how the KIPP model works in the Bay Area schools, how it affects teachers and students, and to understand how KIPP student achievement compares to that of similar students in traditional or other school settings. To determine the extent to which each school was fulfilling the KIPP charter that emphasizes preparation for college and a strong culture of achievement and discipline, the schools were measured against KIPP's core set of operating principles known as the Five Pillars: High Expectations, Choice and Commitment, More Time, Power to Lead, and Focus on Results.

SRI's key findings:

•  Focus on Results: Standardized test results suggest that KIPP schools are posting gains beyond what would be expected in most subjects and grade levels, given their demographic composition. The percentage of students at or above the 50 th percentile on the SAT 10, a norm-referenced test, increased from Fall to Spring in all five schools, ranging from six percentage points in fifth-grade reading in one school to 51 percentage points in sixth-grade math in another. California Standards Test (CST) results indicate the overall percentage of students performing at a proficient level or above is consistently higher for KIPP schools than for comparable schools in the district.   However, because available data did not allow for analysis of individual student performance over time as compared to that of similar students in other schools, it is not possible to separate the impact of KIPP from that of differences in the groups compared.

•    High Expectations: All five Bay Area KIPP schools expect students to attend college and have a college preparatory curriculum structured by state standards with rigorous criteria for promotion to the next grade. The schools have strict behavior management systems that include clear rules, a "paycheck" system of rewards, and public consequences for failure to follow the rules.

•  Choice and Commitment: Parents choose Bay Area KIPP schools largely because of their reputation for academic rigor and strong disciplinary practices; teachers choose the KIPP schools for the opportunity to help create a new school and because of their passion for the mission of the program.

•  More Time: KIPP students spend at least 50% more time in schools than their peers in regular public schools. The five Bay Area KIPP schools vary in the amount of time devoted to instruction, but the lowest still substantially exceeds that of comparable public schools.

•  Power to Lead: KIPP schools are essentially franchise operations, and principals have substantial autonomy over their budget and hiring of staff. As the schools add a grade each year, the leader's job shifts from launching a start-up to formalizing policies and procedures.

"All the schools we studied were immediately recognizable as KIPP schools," said Katrina Woodworth, an SRI education policy analyst and the study's principal investigator. "They each keep long hours, provide rigorous classes and strict discipline, and post small to substantial test score gains. Although no two schools implement the elements of KIPP in the same way, all the formal features of the model are in place. As school reform models go, this is a remarkably rapid implementation."

The study, independent of both the Hewlett Foundation and KIPP, is the first to document how the national KIPP model is implemented in the Bay Area to meet local needs and its effects on student behavior and academic achievement. Copies of this report can be downloaded at http://policyweb.sri.com/cep/projects/displayProject.jsp?Nick=kipp.

About SRI's Center for Education Policy
SRI's Center for Education Policy studies reforms that hold promise for improving the K-16 system of schooling and lifelong learning. The Center conducts research and evaluations on the design, implementation, and impact of educational programs, especially improvement efforts targeted at disadvantaged students.

About SRI International
Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs contract research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies.