Parents wonder at way pupils are to be chosen

AKRON (AP) — Some parents are questioning why a new school for pupils interested in math and science is selecting its first class through a lottery.

Akron’s Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics will select seven pupils from each of Akron’s seven geographical clusters for each grade.

The school will also choose five from each grade by lottery from pupils living outside the district.

The school is part of the state STEM initiative to boost science and math training. Similar schools have opened or are under way around the state.

Gov. Ted Strickland and state lawmakers announced the program earlier this year.

A $12 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, helps to finance the initiative.

STEM schools are also partnering with area businesses to provide pupils real life training and research opportunities.

Akron’s STEM school, opening in September in the National Inventors Hall of Fame, will select its first class by lottery from a pool of applicants who, along with their parents, have expressed interest in a science- and math-focused education.