The LeBron James Family Foundation’s I Promise School in Akron, Ohio is now speaking out on recent media coverage of “discouraging” test results.

LeBron James has been making noise in the business world over the past year and one of his most cherished accomplishments was undoubtedly opening up his ‘I Promise’ school in Akron, Ohio. However, reports have surfaced that no eighth graders who have been attending the ‘I Promise’ school have not passed a state math test in the past three years.

 

“This fall’s class of eighth graders at the I Promise School hasn’t had a single student pass the state’s math test since the group was in the third grade. “Not one? In three years?” Akron Public Schools board member Valerie McKitrick asked after that data point was presented to the board earlier this week.”

“It is discouraging,” responded Keith Liechty-Clifford, the district’s director of school improvement. Five years into the I Promise School, a public school that operates in partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation, Akron school board members are starting to ask questions about whether I Promise is living up to its academic promise.”

According to Complex, sources tell them that reports focused on available data from these past few years, may in fact be “unreliable.” A spokesperson for the LeBron James Family Foundation’s I Promise School is addressing the backlash.

“When we started this work to wraparound students through education, we entered this partnership with Akron Public School for the long haul. 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 rep also added that all of the staff at the Akron public school are “incredibly excited” about the upcoming school year, serving under Stephanie Davis, the new principal, who’s been described as the “perfect person to lead” to move the school forward.

Complex reported that another statement was released to them via the new principal, who spoke about the math test results and more.

“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.”

Adding, 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.”

In the meantime, LeBron confirmed what we all knew when he announced that he will return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2023-24 season. It will be his 21st season in the NBA, and he will turn 39 years old in December.

In Year 20, James averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 0.9 steals in 35.5 minutes.