Charter Schools

Coming up as part of Canterbury University's "What If" lecture series, a lecture from Mike Feinberg on KIPP and the American experience with charter schools. Here's Feinberg at Forbes.com on KIPP at Houston.

From the University's announcement:

What If charter schools could make a difference?

Date: Wednesday 26 September 2012
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Location: University of Canterbury
Contact: For further information regarding this event, please contact Shandley Wenborn by sending email toshandley.wenborn@canterbury.ac.nz or by calling 03 364 2346
Audience: The general public

Presented by Dr Mike Feinberg

Partnership Schools/Kura Hourua – known internationally as charter schools – are one of the Government’s initiatives aimed at addressing student underachievement. As a relatively late adopter of the concept, New Zealand has the advantage of being able to learn from the successes and failures of models in other parts of the world.

Join us for a discussion on what KIPP, a US network of 125 high-performing charter schools, has been able to deliver in terms of educational achievement and new ways for parents and communities to be involved in their children’s education.

Dr Feinberg co-founded KIPP, is currently Executive Vice-Chair of KIPP Houston, and serves on the board of KIPP Foundation. He has won numerous awards for educational excellence and public service/social entrepreneurship.

I will be seeking leave to attend. Evening engagements often require side-payments. But this one's likely to be worth it. I'll hope to see Christchurch-based readers there.