Half the graduating class of 2019 at John F. Kennedy High School in Gentilly will have to complete additional coursework and take exams in order to receive their diplomas. New Beginnings School Foundation made the announcement today after a grade fixing scandal saw the resignation of New Beginnings' CEO and the termination of five school administrators, including the principal.
A press release published by the Advocate says "Because of the actions of adults at our school, families were misled and young people's plans were disrupted... ...we apologize deeply for that harm, and promise to do everything we can to give students a clear path forward."
The scandal has expanded as more than grades were inflated to improve the schools academic profile with the Louisiana Department of Education. Some students were told they could graduate despite not having taken required courses including science, history, English, and geography.
The scandal broke when an Runell King, Director of Data, Assessment, and Accountability found school employees changed grades. He was later fired by New Beginnings CEO Michelle Blouin-Williams, which King says was retaliation for uncovering the fixed grades.