The I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, founded by the LeBron James Family Foundation, has addressed the “discouraging” test results following recent media coverage.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, the upcoming eighth graders at the public school have not passed the math portion of their state proficiency exam since the 2018/2019 school year, when these students were in third grade.
COVID-19 played a crucial role during the time in question, impacting schools nationwide. According to a reliable source, reports citing available data from that period may be relying on unreliable information due to the changing landscape caused by the pandemic.
Launched by James’ foundation in 2018 to aid at-risk students, the Akron-area school reportedly witnessed a substantial increase in test scores among students within one year.
“We are reigniting dreams that were extinguished,” former principal Brandi Davis said.
Regarding the recent test score reports, a spokesperson for the foundation highlighted the enduring objectives of I Promise and its team members.
“When we started this work to wraparound students through education, we entered this partnership with Akron Public School for the long haul,” a LeBron James Family Foundation spokesperson said Monday. “Because this work requires a long-term commitment, hard work, and a lot of love and care. And that’s what we bring each and every day because the I Promise School is more than a school. We’re here for the ups and downs, and will continue to wrap around our students and their entire families so they can be successful in school and in life, no matter the challenges and obstacles that come their way.”
The spokesperson added that the entire staff is thrilled about the upcoming school year with Stephanie Davis as the new principal, whom they believe is the perfect leader for the school’s future.
“One of the things I’m most excited about coming into the I Promise School is the optimism and energy around getting our students to a level of achievement we know they’re capable of,” Davis said. “At the recent Board meeting, our preliminary OST data was shared, but it’s important to note that proficiency is based on mastering grade-level standards. Our students have not yet met the grade-level mastery mark, but they are demonstrating growth based on iReady scores. Of our incoming 8th graders, 32% met their annual typical growth in reading, while 11% met their stretch goal for the year. Despite not mastering the grade-level standards, 42% of students demonstrated growth in iReady math across their 7th-grade school year. When working with students who are achieving below grade level, growth is as important as a measure of progress as proficiency. And the type of growth that is important to us is not made overnight. It takes time.”
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