Rev'ing up learning: What do you get when you mix blended (no, that's not redundant) learning with KIPP? Early signs point to one high-performing frap. KIPP:Empower ended its first year in Watts (insert clever "tech/ watts/ empower" pun) with a nice stat: while 2% of its kindergarteners were on grade level at the beginning of the year, a staggering 96% made the grade by year's end. Sure, big gains in kindergarden might be easier than in later years but any way you cut it, early intervention is key to closing the achievement gap. The school uses a "rotational model" with 15 computers in each classroom: half of each class of about 30 students is on computers at any given time, and half are getting direct instruction from a teacher. Then they rotate. Full disclosure: Ed Elements, founded by Anthony Kim, built the technology platform, which will also be implemented at Mission Dolores Academy, where EdSurge's Matt Bowman is helping out this fall.
