{"id":3791,"date":"2026-02-09T10:52:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carnegiefoundation.org\/?p=3791"},"modified":"2026-02-09T10:52:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:52:49","slug":"memphis-kipp-wheatley-learning-collaborative-kipp-foundation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carnegiefoundation.org\/memphis-kipp-wheatley-learning-collaborative-kipp-foundation\/","title":{"rendered":"Memphis KIPP Wheatley Learning Collaborative, KIPP Foundation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Improving Middle-Grade Literacy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A network of charter management organizations in Memphis, Tennessee, is using improvement science to improve literacy instruction and achievement. In 2012, KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program)\u2014a national network of charter schools\u2014partnered with Great Minds to create a K\u20138 literacy curriculum for its schools that emphasizes rigorous reading and rich writing assignments in alignment with the Common Core. The KIPP Wheatley curriculum is shared with other charter networks, including three other networks in Memphis\u2014Aspire Public Schools, Freedom Preparatory Academy, and Memphis Business Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These four networks of 17 schools looked to raise persistently low literacy achievement scores on the Tennessee state test by coming together in a networked improvement community, known as the Learning Collaborative, in the 2017\u201318 and 2018\u201319 school years. Combined, the schools serve more than 5,500 students, with 90% African American, 7% Latinx, and 85% qualified for free or reduced-price lunch. Members of the Collaborative identified teacher and leader literacy content knowledge as a primary driver for increasing student learning. KIPP brought together diverse teams from each individual charter school network, including district leaders, principals, assistant principals, and teachers, for in-person and virtual learning sessions. It also instituted monthly on-site coaching sessions from literacy content experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE COLLABORATIVE IS LOOKING TO MOVE FROM \u201cAVERAGE\u201d GROWTH TO \u201cGROWTH FOR EVERYONE.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Collaborative sought to create change by using a series of teacher and leader practices designed to develop content and instructional knowledge over time. For example, it developed a tool to help guide coaches in leading teams of content teachers to internalize the standards and outcomes associated with each lesson within the curriculum. Teams of teachers and coaches started with small tests using the tool and gradually expanded its use across grade levels and schools, making adjustments as needed for each unique system. Using student achievement data along with teacher and leader data on the frequency of key practices, members of the Collaborative applied cycles of learning to reflect and act on progress that was informed by each other\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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