For this assignment you will be completing three case studies (see attached):

Kipp Public School

You should prepare the case as follows:

Executive Summary (6-7 sentences)

Paragraph 1: Intro

Paragraph 2: Situation Analysis

Paragraph 3: SWOT Analysis

Paragraph 4: Strategy Formulation (How would you formulate a response to the issue presented?)

Paragraph 5: Strategy Implementation

Paragraph 6: Closing

Case 9: KIPP Houston Public Schools C-97 CASE 9 KIPP Houston Public Schools Dane Roberts Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business they pay a licensing fee and which is responsible for the year-long leadership training program that all school principals attend before founding a new KIPP school. KIPP schools also adhere to a set of common oper- ating principles known as the "Five Pillars." which the KIPP Foundation describes as: Sehba Ali, the recently selected superintendent of KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Houston Public Schools, prefers that people do not refer to KIPP as "a miracle." Yes, it has effectively quadrupled the rate at which its low-income students attend college compared to tradi- tional public schools. Yes, it has created a new model for public education that has spread throughout the United States and beyond. And, yes, visitors to the schools are often astounded by the focus and character shown by its students--often called KIPPsters--in comparison to the chaos that sometimes prevails in other schools serving neighborhoods of high poverty. But Ali believes there is no magic or miracle to it. Instead she attributes KIPP's success to "a lot of smart people working hard and being nice. It's about innova- tion. It's about creativity. It's about being as smart as we can and being willing to take risks and make change." Despite the organization's dedicated staff members and students, who have committed with their signatures to do whatever it takes" to succeed, there is no guarantee the future will be an unqualified success. KIPP Houston has faced challenges finding enough qualified teachers and leaders to continue its plans for rapid expansion. Securing adequate funding for its programs and facilities is also a perennial challenge. Finally, some lapses in qual- ity among the 21 elementary and secondary schools in the Houston metro area are forcing Ali and other KIPP Houston leaders to grapple with the trade-off between campus autonomy and top-down management. HIGH EXPECTATIONS-KIPP schools have clearly defined and measurable high expectations for academic achievement and conduct that make no excuses based on the students' backgrounds. Students, parents, teachers, and staff create and rein- force a culture of achievement and support through a range of formal and informal rewards and conse- quences for academic performance and behavior. CHOICE & COMMITMENT-Students, their par- ents, and the faculty of each KIPP school choose to participate in the program. No one is assigned or forced to attend a KIPP school. Everyone must make and uphold a commitment to the school and to each other to put in the time and effort required to achieve success. MORE TIME-KIPP schools know that there are no shortcuts when it comes to success in academics and life. With an extended school day, week, and year, students have more time in the classroom to acquire the academic knowledge and skills that will prepare them for competitive high schools and colleges, as well as more opportunities to engage in diverse extracurricular experiences. POWER TO LEAD-The principals of KIPP schools are effective academic and organizational leaders who understand that great schools require great school leaders. They have control over their school budget and personnel. They are free to swiftly move dollars or make staffing changes, allowing them maximum effectiveness in helping students learn. FOCUS ON RESULTS-KIPP schools relentlessly focus on high student performance on standard- ized tests and other objective measures. Just as there are no shortcuts, there are no excuses. Students are expected to achieve a level of academic performance that will enable them to succeed at the nation's best high schools and colleges. Setting the Scene KIPP Houston is a network of charter schools located in Houston, Texas, the fourth largest city in the United States. Charter schools are public, taxpayer funded, and open to all students; however, they operate inde pendently of traditional school districts. The 21 schools KIPP Houston operates are among 125 nationally that use the KIPP name. While all KIPP schools have a high level of autonomy, they share the imprimatur of the KIPP Foundation in San Francisco, California, to whom