Academic Recovery, Academic Detention

So, what happens when the work is not done well?

After returning papers with Rs (Revise and Return), I will typically dedicate a portion of class to discussing most common mistakes. We might write a sample open response together, or perhaps I'll have students analyze exemplar work done by their peers. The goal is to help students who fell short understand how to rework or rewrite their papers. I expect the R papers to be handed in within a day or two. Essentially, R papers become an extra homework assignments.

If this - or any - work is not passed in within a reasonable amount of time, students must attend an Academic Recovery (AR) session. This is extra-help time after school. This year, I established Thursdays as mandatory AR days. Some students just need to sit and work, some need help one-on-one or in small groups. As soon as they are caught up, they may leave.

Those who are behind and choose not to attend AR on Thursday are automatically assigned Academic Detention (AD) on Friday. They must both complete their work and stay a minimum of half an hour. The time requirement and the Friday designation itself are designed to be deterrants.

Those who choose not to attend AD on Friday are written up as having cut detention, and as referred to our saintly assistant principal. She will typically assign Office Detention, which is an hour in duration. I have the option of pulling students from Office Detention to work with me after school.

In extreme cases, I have pulled students from an Enrichment class, or worked with them as they serve In-house Suspension.

Yes, the chasing is a bother. And, yes, I believe it is worth it.