During the second half of teacher Trent Eaton's English class one January morning, students were perusing want ads in the Chicago Tribune. Desks are arranged in four clusters rather than rows, a style akin to an elementary school seating plan, which makes it easier for students to work together. But not all her classmates share her sentiments, concedes Staschke, who says some freshmen get bored in the long classes. To keep freshman parents apprised, Bogan sends failure notices out every two and half weeks and report cards every 5 weeks, or 8 times a year. Parents must pick up two of those personally.
Attendance is up, and block classes have a lower failure rate than the year-long subjects.
Hyde Park Career Academy High Freshmen get extra time, extra help. With nearly 10 years experience, Hyde Park is the pioneer of freshman academy programs. Students who attend seem to enjoy it, says Principal Weldon Beverly. We found many students chose to stay for the entire time, even though they didn't have to. Once the regular school year is underway, freshmen who have not completed all their assignments or not passed the tests required for promotion are given extra time.