Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

LeBron James Opens STEM-Based School For At-Risk Students In Ohio (sbnation.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the first-of-its-kind dept.

NBA superstar LeBron James is opening a new school that many are calling a "game changer." It extends the length of a traditional school day and focuses on teaching a STEM curriculum to students who have a higher probability of failing academically or dropping out of school. An anonymous Slashdot reader shares a report from SB Nation: LeBron James' I Promise School opened Monday to serve low-income and at-risk students in his hometown, and the public school could be an agent of change in the eastern Ohio city. The institution is the intersection of James' philanthropic Family Foundation and the I Promise Network he helped kickstart. I Promise began as an Akron-based non-profit aimed at boosting achievement for younger students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Now the movement has the means to educate these students year-round. I Promise will feature longer school days, a non-traditional school year, and greater access to the school, its facilities, and its teachers during down time for students. That's a formula aimed at replicating some of the at-home support children may be missing when it comes to schoolwork. The school has also anchored its curriculum in math and science-based teaching, dipping into the STEM -- science, technology, engineering, and math -- curriculum that prepares students for the jobs of the future.

4 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. Noble but misplaced by TimothyHollins · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Honorable, but not quite useful.

    If you want to help, build a school for the unusually gifted. Take those out of regular schools where the pace is low and put them together so they can push each other to greatness.

    Of those that have a higher probability of failing, only a certain percent are failing because of the school itself. Many will be failing due to the situation at home, or simply because they don't have the mental faculties to comprehend. Those that show up will have a wide variety of different needs (some may be physically handicapped, some may be mentally handicapped, some may need therapy or counseling), and trying to put them all in one place is sure to cause further problems. If it's "low-income" students, putting them all together is sure to cause problems with violence, drugs, and bad behavior.

    If you want low-income students to excel, put one or two in classes with mid to high income students so they get inundated with a better culture and attitude instead, that will do far more good.

    1. Re: Noble but misplaced by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Sir,

      The schools for rich, well-educated students are already plentiful. James' efforts are more than just noble. The under-privilged by definition normally lack opportunity and access to attend a school like this one. Some may fail but there will be successful students as well. And of those, each one who graduates will be a testiment to the need for a public school like this.

      Everyone who wants it should have access to a good education. It benefits society as well as the student.

      James should be commended.

  2. Re:What about fixing the student loan risk? by serviscope_minor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    oh fuck off

    I dont's think you actually care. All you're doing is shooting off on the internet about how while someone is fixing one problem or doesn't meet your exacting standards because it's not the problem you're currently vaguely thinking about.

    This is what aboutism at it's finest. You contribute absolutely nothing while trying to divert the discussion.

    Pathetic.

    --
    SJW n. One who posts facts.
  3. Noble gesture on his part by erp_consultant · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I suppose we could debate how successful it will be but at least he's stepping up and trying to help. Interestingly he opened the school in his home town, not his new digs in LA. In contrast, I don't recall Michael Jordan doing a damn thing for the underprivileged in Brooklyn (his hometown). Magic Johnson? Well, he opened a bunch of restaurants in East LA but this is a for profit venture.

    For the record, I'm not a huge LeBron fan but in this case I think he deserves some credit. He didn't go to college because he was blessed with exceptional sports talent but for the vast, vast majority of these kids there is no sports scholarship in their future. The only way they are getting out of poverty is through education.