As school districts around KOTA Territory overhaul their academics in response to low state test scores, one district is taking a proactive approach- not giving its students the option to fail.
Staff members at Hay Springs Public Schools say a mandatory program for students with low grades is yielding results.
Any student at Hay Springs who has an "F" or two "D's" in any class, is required to stay after school and work with instructors to bring up their grades.
The number of students attending the program has fallen off significantly since it started.
"We average six or seven on the average," says Superintendent Steve Pummel. "At the very beginning 2 years ago when we started it was 35 to 40 kids. We're holding kids accountable for the learning. And they know that if they don't pass the state assessment test, they have to go to summer school."
Another incentive for kids to pay attention and take advantage of class time: Students that begin the week with an "F" are ineligible to participate in any school sporting events that week.
