KIPP Reform Schools--Teacher Sweat Shops

KIPP schools are often touted as an example of how a well-designed school full of dedicated true-believer educators can trump race and class and
get low income students to succeed. This is, of course, an Ed Deform
fantasy. 60% of the 5^th graders in Oakland, California, KIPP
schools didn’t even make it to the 8th grade. Parents must sign
contracts and commit to KIPP’s draconian policies on discipline and
homework, a policy that results in the exclusion of those low income
students who would be most likely to fail in any school environment.
Those who make it into KIPP, but who fail to meet KIPP’s high standards,
are quietly pushed out, thus helping to pad KIPP’s “impressive” stats.

KIPP schools typically require their non-unionized teachers to work 65 hours per week, including mandatory Saturdays and summers. Teachers are
expected to be on call at home in the evenings to help students with
homework. Not surprisingly, teacher attrition is high.

KIPP schools would likely have all gone under years ago if it weren’t for the copious backing by deep pocket charter cheerleaders like Fishers,
Waltons, Broads and Gates.