Charlie Rose - Wendy Kopp

[scafish]

Many of these comments manifest the worst of the defeatist teacher union excuse-mongering. The data is pretty clear that TFA teachers are comparable in quality to other teachers and that transformative change is possible.

[williamstodd]

@fashionista0709 I sit on a school board that employs TFA and have seen the data first hand regarding classroom results vs other first year teachers. I've also seen how many first year teachers leave the classroom by the end of their fifth year vs TFA teachers. Based on that data we have requested a 50 pct increase in our TFA placements. In general they are as smart and committed as any other teacher pipeline we see and have a hugely positive impact on our school system's culture. culture

[williamstodd]

35,000 graduates applied for TFA last year and applications are pacing to almost double that in 2010.  There are currently 7,300 corps members teaching today with another 17,000 alumni, 60% of which are still teaching or are in education administration or research/reform efforts. The concept of exposing our brightest graduates to our poorest children and letting them see for themselves that these children are capable of mastering their subjects and have the same aspirations is genius.

[fashionista0709]

@williamstodd Your stats are incorrect. You should actually read all the research first and not believe everything you hear coming out of Wendy Kopp's mouth.

[williamstodd]

@fashionista0709 I've read the research. More importantly, I have seen what principals of traditional ISD schools and charter schools are doing....they are requesting substantial increases in the placement of TFA teachers at their schools. They are the closest to the situation, and they are accountable for their results. They are voting with their own budgets to increase their TFA allocations. Actions speak louder than anything.

[JesseAlred]

When I think of how much Wendy Kopp and the KIPP founders got involved with corporations like Union Carbide, the Edison Project and the Bush admiistration, it. reminds me of a new Springsteen song. "A long walk home."

"you know you're lucky to be born in this town,

nobody crowds you,

nobody goes it alone,

you know the flag flying over the courthouse,

means some things are set in stone,

who we are,

and what we'll do,

AND WHAT WE WON'T"

[JesseAlred]

I am a Houston teacher who wants to communicate with TFA teachers. I respect your work, but believe TFA leaders are too close to conservatives. They blame schools and teachers, not our unequal society, for every education failing. This goes back to TFA's founding, when Wendy Kopp built an alliance with Union Carbide, whose negligence caused 100,000 casualties in India, and continued with her hookup with the Edison Project, which wanted to replace public schools with corporate schools.

[narls1969]

TFA is a scam. Not only has it made a ton of cash for its founder, but is eligible for government funding. And, it's NOT helping kids in urban areas in the long run.

To answer gchao's question: her agenda is to make herself a good living.

Her answers to Rose's questions are incomprehensible. And, she's responsible for training teachers!

Another reason why the American education system is in the toilet. The proof? Kids hate school now more than any other generation. Ask them.

[knsummers]

I wonder if her kids go to a traditional public school, a charter school, or a private school. I have guess, but does anyone know for sure?

[williamstodd]

@knsummers Her children go to a public school in New York

[darkmatterdark]

Rose a bit is getting grumpy... he wants some answers... she's so abstract and not talking about specifics...

[mellythepirate]

wendy kopp says in her book that she is a terrible public speaker. however, tfa is still an amazing program.

[Agnotio]

I agree with 32doors, and I've watched the entire interview on TV. Ms. Kopp doesn't respond to much of what Charlie asks other than repetitively mouthing feel-good slogans.

[32doors]

If you listen, Ms. Kopp doesn't answer any of Charlie's questions. She's perfected the politician's technique of answering simple questions with off topic, rambling speeches. On top of it all, she tries too hard to sound earnest and genuine and ends up projecting exactly the opposite. I wish people would fall out of love with their own voices and have an actual conversation from time to time.

[arthurpoet]

I don't believe you are commenting on the same video that is posted here, because your comment makes no sense whatsoever.

[gchao]

What agenda, besides improving the school system, could she possibly have?

[knsummers]

white supremacy culture/hegemony, marginalization of the working class and skilled trades, cultural homogeneity, top-down control of community schools by outsiders, support of NCLB, and the transition from qualitative to quantitative measures of success.

[google2com]

I really hope education would improve everywhere...people should stress the imporance of education above all else.