Stephan: American public schools overall, on the basis of social outcome data, are a disaster. American students do so poorly in educational rankings there are third world countries that do better. In states all over the country, wherever the Republicans are in power, public school budgets are being severely cut, and there can be no doubt this is a deliberate policy, as can be seen by the fact that the same Republicans are touting privatization as the solution.
It is the usual neoliberal grift to turn ordinary Americans into spigots so that tax dollars can be siphoned from them to enrich the already rich through a privatization scheme. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, like all the other Trump appointees, is incompetent for the task which she is supposed to oversee, but very good at what she is actually trying to do, which is turning public education into a profit-making business. And the results? Charter school overall, based on their outcome data, are not the way to go.
In contrast to that consider this program done with the help of LeBron James that, working within the public system, actually produces results. His program not only shows success it also demonstrates that it can be done for less money, and within the public system.
Students at I Promise lining up for a free breakfast.
Credit: Maddie McGarvey/The New York Times
AKRON, OHIO — The students paraded through hugs and high-fives from staff, who danced as Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” blared through the hallways. They were showered with compliments as they walked through a buffet of breakfast foods.
The scene might be expected on a special occasion at any other public school. At LeBron James’s I Promise School, it was just Monday.
Every day, they are celebrated for walking through the door. This time last year, the students at the school — Mr. James’s biggest foray into educational philanthropy — were identified as the worst performers in the Akron public schools and branded with behavioral problems. Some as young as 8 were considered at risk of not graduating.
Now, they are helping close the achievement gap in Akron.
The academic results are early, and at 240, the sample size of students is small, but the inaugural classes of third and fourth graders at […]
Great story! It’s fascinating and inspiring to see African American communities and their children being empowered. I was once told by an African American scholar that in the 50s when many in the communities became successful they left; cutting ties when they prospered and became successful because they wanted to be recognized for that – not their past. These days, more and more are staying in cities like Baltimore, parts of NYC, Detroit, Ohio where successful African American men (and women) are helping to coach and empower youth.