A new Akron Beacon Journal (ABJ) report said, "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."

The revelations were alarming to some Akron Board of Education members who asked for the data on the school's progress that opened in 2018 as a part of the Akron Public Schools system and partially funded by the LeBron James Family Foundation. 

During last week's board meeting, Akron Public Schools board member Valerie McKitrick said, "Not one? In three years?"

"It is discouraging," responded Keith Liechty-Clifford, the district's director of school improvement.

ABJ said some board members are questioning whether I Promise is meeting its goals of helping students who are two or more years behind grade level.