Pros
Well known and established network of charter schools throughout America; Most of senior management seems to care, but they may not always know what to do, or how to do it, or when to do it (certain important decisions or changes); Most employees get the chance to go to a paid summer training for a few days... San Antonio, Orlando, Vegas to name a few of the past locations; Some principals may be awesome/good leaders; There are some rock star teachers from which you can learn from within the network... Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin are approachable (co-founders); They send out 360 surveys to employees to rate their leader pretty thoroughly in terms of their leadership; KIPP has tried to implement some onsite child care facilities for the children of their staff; KIPP has many great values and beliefs from which they would ideally love to see themselves operate, as well as a great mission..
Cons
No work/home balance- No one within the network seems to know how to do this or feels they have mastered this yet to give advice about it; No curriculum to use as even a guide, nor does it look like it is heading this direction, which means teachers need to create everything, from unit plans, to thorough lesson plans, to class notes, classwork, homework, etc. after finishing a long day and getting home late, and still taking calls from students...Very tiring; Depending on the school, very little planning time allotted during the school day; School leaders are a hit or miss...One will learn very quickly whether they have the hit or the miss school leader... Very high turnover at some schools...Depending on the school leader, one might get paid well above competing school districts, or up to 8,000 below starting salary at other districts w/the same years of experience...All the extra money made is through TAKS tutorials, summer school, and Saturday school... Take all that away, and one's base salary is very little considering the hours put into working for KIPP