They're part of Volk's strategy at School 15. Inexpensive toys, candy and school supplies are handed out. That's just one of the battles this school faces daily. Hispanics make up 20 percent of the students, and many speak little or no English. Special education students account for another 12 percent of the pupils.
Educators use many resources to try to improve student achievement.
Mornings are devoted solely to intensive reading and math lessons. Several federally funded classroom assistants and two extra teachers work closely with low-performing students. An insurance company's workers regularly volunteer to tutor students, and a YMCA after-school program pays for a teacher to help with homework. Still, IPS parent Debbie Strietelmeier says teachers need full-time assistants. They come in so far behind.