Jay Mathews

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  Jay commented on the article | about 3 years ago

  Teach For America, Awhile: Ivy League Temps and Corporate Missionaries, Part 2

  Jim's philosophical comments on the nature of education, and how we approach reform, have merit, but his characterizations of how KIPP students are taught are just plain wrong. He has never given any indication of spending any significant time inside a KIPP school. Until he does so, and tells us what he has seen, and where, so we can check the accuracy of his observations, I think we have to discount his view that this is a parrot-like training program. I have watched KIPP teachers in action in about 30 of the 66 KIPP schools, and what I have seen is some of the liveliest and most imagination teaching ever, methods that would please Prof Dewey if he were still with us. Many other experienced educators who have visited KIPP have had the same reaction. I actually have never seen any account from anyone who has spent time inside a KIPP school that sounds anything like what Jim says here.