Interventions and Grant Writing

Knowledge Is Power Programme for improved student achievement in Mathematics.

Under the federal school reform legislation, educators are required to select and implement evidence-based interventions. The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) is one source of information for evidence-based interventions and was established by the American Department of Educations Institute of Education Sciences. WWC purposes of providing education consumers with a source of scientific evidence of what works in education, to promote informed decision making in education through databases and reports that provide an overview of educational interventions effectiveness (programs, practices, products, and policies), which are intended to improve student achievement. This paper will evaluate an intervention method known as the Knowledge Is Power Programme (KIPP) and its application to improve student achievement in mathematics at all school levels.

Knowledge Is Power Programme (KIPP)

Description

This program is a non-profit network of about 200 or more public charter schools that educate early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school learners. Parents, students, and facilitators must all sign a commitment to honor a set of responsibilities, including high disciplinary and behavioral expectations. The program also has an active network of alumni and partnerships with scholarship organizations to help guide former students through college. KIPP schools have an extended school year compared to the other public schools (Clark et al., 2011). Funding for these schools comes mainly through public federal, local finances, and state. Theres also supplemental funding through donations from various foundations and individuals. KIPP schools, public charter schools, are founded on the belief that any child, regardless of their status, race, and any other demographic factor, can learn if presented with the appropriate opportunity.

Research supporting this program

The WWC identified several studies of the program that fall within the charter schools topic areas scope and meet the group design standards of WWC (Clark et al., 2011). According to a review by WWC, the extent of evidence for the program on academic achievement of both middle and high school students for four outcome domains was medium to large. The domains are; English language arts achievement, mathematics achievement, social studies achievement, and science achievement.

Effectiveness of KIPP program

The program has had positive influences on mathematics achievement and English language arts achievement and even on social studies and science achievement for middle and high school students with no observable effects on students progression in high school. According to the WWC review from the programs studies, the mathematics achievement domain has recorded a positive and significant difference between KIPP students and students in other public schools in the middle school sample, with an average improvement index of 12%. Tuttle et al. (2015) examined two outcomes in the same domain. They recorded a significantly positive difference in the third-year follow-up state standardized maths test score between those who entered the KIPP School in grade 9 and the comparison students.

Woodworth et al. (2008) also examined one outcome in this domain: Californias state standardized mathematics assessment. They reported on the follow-ups after KIPP entry for two groups of 5th graders and one group of 6th graders, examining the differences for each school, grade, and cohort. The authors reported statistically positive differences between the two samples (Vasquez Heilig et al., 2011).

Resources

The resource requirements for the implementation of these programs vary from fiscal to human and to physical resources. Funding for KIPP schools is received from donations given by charitable organizations as well as from local districts. Expenditure per pupil appears to be slightly higher than that of local schools (Vasquez Heilig et al., 2011). For instance, one study reported that Massachusetts KIPP School spent about $13500 per pupil in 2018 compared to about $10000 in local schools. Other resources include the human factor, dedicated teachers, positive peer relations, and actively involved parents. Physical resources include; books, texts and reading materials, and math practice, such as khan academy videos, smart gadgets, and fun academic games.

The question, therefore, lies in the capacity...…opportunity.

Goals and objectives

Goals

The school aims at improving student achievement in mathematics across every level within the school.

The school also focuses on equitable access, opportunities, and outcomes for all students despite being a multicultural institution.

Objectives

Should the programs implementation be successful, the school hopes that the stated goals will be achieved and that learners achievement will improve cumulatively and that learners will also get accorded equal and appropriate opportunities.

Strategies of achieving the stated goals/objectives

Some strategies are already being put in place following the improvement plan (Henig, 2008). The school aims to give the teachers progress monitoring tools, and the basic instructional standards will be carried out. The essential practices would be practiced in innovative learning and video conferencing platforms. The differentiated academic plans for catering to all kinds of ethnicities would be targeted. Successful implementation of technology for students, staff, and parents would ensure challenging goals and positive outcomes to empower learners.

Evaluation section

The evaluation will be done regularly to assess the programs effectiveness in addressing the set target(Henig, 2008). This will be done by constantly doing a study within the schoo to evaluate the outcomes. It will be done internally and also by inviting an external evaluator sometimes.

Other funding

The school expects to receive additional funding from the state and the local district and willing individuals and other charity organizations.

Information about the school

North Miami Beach Senior High School happens to be a non-profit organization, and any donation received shall be properly handled and utilized for the intended goal (Henig, 2008). The schools mission is to create a safe and effective learning environment where all students undergo social, academic, and career-linked success in becoming lifelong learners in the ever-changing global society. The current number of students is 1310.

Conclusion

KIPP schools heritage is that the program works just as indicated by the research studies evidence on its effectiveness. Active involvement of parents, connections between real life and learning, and a culture of hard work, when paired with dedicated…