After a major graduation scandal, the New Beginnings Schools Foundation is giving up its charters for Kennedy High and Capdau Charter, an elementary school. The KIPP network is interested in taking both over.
Nicole Jones said her son was sent home after Thanksgiving break to learn on a school laptop at home, a placement that may have been done illegally.
A review found that about 90 seniors from the class of 2019 were found ineligible to graduate. Some have been taking summer courses to graduate before the new school year begins, but only 24 of 53 have been cleared to move on by the state.
A Louisiana Department of Education employee said New Beginnings was not providing all the documentation needed to certify students. Even students who took summer classes are unsure if they have earned enough credits.
The hearing will likely be held Tuesday, but students' lawyer Suzette Bagneris argues time is of the essence as students may be losing scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
The 18-year-old said he was ranked second in his class just weeks before graduation, when he was suddenly knocked down to fourth. He thinks he may have missed out on college scholarships as a result.
Orleans Parish Schools Superintendent Henderson Lewis, Jr. said the schools will remain open.
The district is considering revoking Kennedy’s charter contract.
State finds that students were allowed to use remediation software — intended for makeup work after failing a course — to take classes for the first time, appearing to corroborate allegations in a recently filed lawsuit.
Lawyer says she's pursuing class action on behalf of all 92 students who belatedly found out they were ineligible to graduate.
