A house RESOLUTION

 

To recognize and honor the Cleveland Academy of Leadership of Spartanburg County, for being recognized as a Beating the Odds Investigative Study school and to congratulate them for overcoming issues that hinder the possibility of an excellent education in order to become high achieving in academics.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were pleased to learn that the Cleveland Academy of Leadership has been selected as a Beating the Odds Investigative Study school by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC); and

 

Whereas, research shows that schools with higher poverty rates tend to have lower academic achievement. The Cleveland Academy of Leadership is "Beating the Odds" in producing top tier student achievement; and

 

Whereas, the Beating the Odds Investigative Study, implemented by the EOC in 2024, examines the practices and characteristics of schools where students are achieving well academically despite having a high percentage of pupils in poverty. This study also helps to identify possible characteristics that might assist schools in serving students in poverty, as the EOC is charged with encouraging the continuous improvement in South Carolina public schools; and

 

Whereas, the Cleveland Academy of Leadership was selected for the study, not only because they met the required criteria, but because they go above and beyond for their students and faculty. Schools that qualify for the study have an enrollment of more than one hundred students; acquire an "Excellent" overall rating with no "Below Average" or "Unsatisfactory" indicator ratings on the South Carolina School Report Card; have a poverty ratio greater than or equal to seventy-five percent based on the average poverty index of elementary schools with an overall rating of "Below Average," the same level of poverty to qualify for federal Title 1 funding; and have open enrollment policies not contingent upon academic achievement or upon evaluation of application or audition; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives deeply appreciates the dedicated work of educators and school administrators who devote themselves to the education of future generations of South Carolinians who will lead this State as productive citizens. The members take great pleasure in recognizing the Cleveland Academy of Leadership for receiving the honor of being included in the Beating the Odds Investigative Study and look forward to hearing of the school's continued accomplishments in the days to ahead. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Cleveland Academy of Leadership of Spartanburg County, for being recognized as a Beating the Odds Investigative Study school and congratulate them for overcoming issues that hinder the possibility of an excellent education in order to become high achieving in academics.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Cleveland Academy of Leadership Principal Dr. Marquice Clarke.

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