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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Can any current or former teachers chime in on what it's like to teach there?

Seems they're trying to replace the entire MS, which raises red flags.

According to the website, the demands are huge-7:15-5:30/6:00, 20 observations per year?????

Please tell me they're not surprised they can't keep teachers.[/quote]

Why do you think they're surprised about keeping or not keeping teachers? Seems like the school prioritizes high achievement and its strategy for getting achievement is to demand a lot from teachers. The strategy seems to be working -- the Charter Board has ranked the school in the highest category of the charter performance system year after year. KIPP is criticized for high turnover too and they are also always ranked high by the Charter Board. Both KIPP and Achievement Prep have been approved to expand under the Board so it doesn't seem that the Board considers their personnel handling to be an issue

It isn't surprising that the demands are high on teachers at high SES schools seeking rapid improvements in student performance.[/quote]

Let me tell you a secret: It's possible to get the same-even better results--without burning out and haranguing teachers to death.

Many schools in different parts of the country do/have done it. DC is not the only place with children living in poverty. But it's schools are thee worst. They seem to think the best/only way to get results is to wear out the teachers. High turnover is not good for anyone.

And let's not forget the students at KIPP (and other charters) tend to come from families with a higher level of parental involvement. The application process alone requires significant effort from families.

The bottom line is that many of these school bosses-I mean 'leaders'-are inept and don't know how to treat people in a way that will yield the highest results.

A wise school leader could get similar or even better results in a typical 8-3 pm school day. It's done everyday throughout the country. These guys just don't fully understand teaching and learning.[/quote]

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