Not ONE incoming 8th grader at LeBron James' 'I Promise' school in Akron has passed state's basic math test in over three years
[Post-Millenial] "It is discouraging," the director of school improvement said.
LeBron James' I Promise School, located in Akron, Ohio, is currently facing severe criticism from members of the Akron Public School Board due to a troubling revelation. Recent reports have disclosed that this year's incoming 8th-grade class has not produced a single student who passed the state math test in over three years.
Keith Liechty-Clifford, the district director of school improvement in Akron, expressed his discouragement with the newly discovered information.
Despite substantial financial support from the James Foundation, as well as local, state, and federal funding, the I Promise School's performance among students has been deeply concerning. These students now find themselves testing in the bottom 5% in the entire state.
As a result of these distressing test scores, the Ohio Department of Education will be stepping in to intervene at the I Promise School. This intervention is a last-ditch effort to reverse the declining trend in test performance and address the challenges the school is facing.
The Ohio Department of Education also issued a concern about the school because black students and those with disabilities are testing in the bottom 5% of students in the state.
According to its website, the I Promise School, which operates as a public school in conjunction with the LeBron James Family Foundation was founded in July 2018 "with a mission to wrap around the most at-risk students and families in Akron." It offers students "free tuition, free uniforms, free bicycle & helmet, free transportation within two miles, free breakfast lunch and snacks, and a food pantry for families."
Students in the district who are in the bottom 25% of reading scores get entered into a lottery. Parents can choose to send their children to the I Promise School or keep them enrolled in their current school if picked.
On top of the standard state funding for the school, the LeBron James Family Foundation donates $1.4 million each year to pay for more tutors and teachers to lower class sizes.
The foundation said in a statement after Monday's meeting: "When we started this work to wraparound students through education, we entered this partnership with Akron Public School for the long haul."
The report notes that kids at the school are typically two years behind their peers. Reacting to the findings Leichty-Clifford said, "If I could take kids who are two and three years behind, and get them on the level in one year, I'd probably resign and take my show on the road."
Stephanie Davis was appointed as the new principal of the school this year.
Posted by: Frank G 2023-07-29 |