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Together with our families and communities, KIPP Texas – Dallas-Fort Worth (KIPP Texas – DFW) creates joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare our students to pursue any path they choose — college, career, and beyond — so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.
We know 60% of Texans will need a post-secondary degree or certification to stay competitive in the current global economy. However, this opportunity remains out of reach for many students, especially first-generation college students living in educationally under-resourced communities – the very students we educate and mentor. In the United States today, students from economically disadvantaged households, and those identifying as Black or Latine (Latine meaning relating to Latin American heritage), enroll in college and graduate at rates consistently below the national average. KIPP Texas – DFW schools are located in some of the most educationally under-resourced communities across Southern Dallas, including Red Bird, Pleasant Grove, and Oak Cliff. The top three zip codes educated by our KIPP Texas – DFW high schools have an average post-secondary education completion rate of just 6%. The average per capita income in these neighborhoods is $16,800 – 50% less than the average in the City of Dallas. Additionally, the poverty rate in southern Dallas neighborhoods is greater than 30%, which is 6% higher than the average poverty rate in the City of Dallas. Education can break the cycle of poverty and increase economic mobility within one generation. Over their lifetime, college graduates earn $2.8 million (75%) more than individuals with only a high school diploma. Research found those who earn at least a bachelor’s degree or complete other post-secondary training are more likely to participate in the labor force, earn higher salaries and greater lifetime earnings, engage in their community, make healthier choices, and live longer lives.
Early pandemic-era testing numbers indicated that Texas students were struggling to adjust to online learning. In the fall of 2020, the Texas Education Agency found that Texas elementary students had experienced significant learning loss in reading, math and science. Fifteen percent fewer third graders were reading at grade level, and 31% fewer fourth graders were meeting their grade level for math. This was detrimental to the students of Southern Dallas, whose schools serve as a safe environment where they have the best chance in receiving the academic and social-emotional knowledge necessary to succeed in life. Our students continue to recover academically as they face additional trauma and stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. KIPP Texas can proudly say that we made every effort to take care of our staff and students emotionally, mentally, and physically. We continue providing a safe, equitable educational environment with well-rounded support so our KIPPsters' (students') academic and social-emotional needs are met. As we emphasize and practice equity, excellence, and empathy in our day-to-day interactions, and create brave and belonging classroom environments through the affirmation of student identity and implementation of culturally responsive instruction, we are increasing our student achievement and ability to recover academically.
Our difference is in our results: KIPPsters matriculate to college at 2X the rate and graduate from college at 4X the rate of their peers from economically disadvantaged households.