A number of new policies will be implemented in the DC school system starting in the 2008-2009 school year. For example, it seems there will be a non-repeater class policy. That is, if a student fails a class, the student will have to take the class again in summer school in order to move to the next grade in the fall. Juniors and seniors who fail a required class would have to take the class again during an after school or evening program. This represents a big change from what has been going on, at least at my high school. For example, this past school year, quite a few students who failed algebra II in the fall took the course again in the spring. With the new policy, if a student fails algebra II in the fall, she or he will have the opportunity to take it again in an evening program in the spring or in summer school.
I think the idea is to try to keep same-grade and same-age students in the classes. To the extent that repeater students are less motivated than new students, I am in favor of the new policy. In my classes, what is crucial is to foster and encourage an environment of enthusiasm (or at least interest) in learning and participation, and a belief in achievement and success. I think the new policy is good because it might help to motivate students to come to class and get the work done because they won't have the option of taking the same class over and over again during regular school hours. Another plus may be that by removing the repeaters from the scheduling equation, the school will be better able to create schedules in advance and figure out staffing and texts and other needs. This might help to reduce the general atmosphere of disorganization in the administration of the school.
On the down side, the policy may penalize students who cannot or will not be able to attend evening or summer school. Probably the policy will serve to motivate some students to drop out of school. Maybe the counselors will try to make exceptions for special ed students or others who have special cases. For now the biggest down side, as I see it, is that we don't know for sure what is the new policy or how it will be implemented. Usually new policies seem to show up in the middle of the school year or at least several weeks into the new school year. Even if that is the case, I hope the new policy will be communicated to all the affected parties -- especially the students -- and I hope it will help reduce the dysfunctionality of the school.
