Frustrated with failing, the students were on the brink of dropping out of school. Students attend middle or high school campuses even though they are still mastering elementary or middle school material. They are typically more than two years behind. But they don't feel as self-conscious about their academic failures because they take elective classes, eat lunch and mingle with students their own age. If they succeed in catching up, they rejoin their peers in classes appropriate for their age.
Preliminary data indicate that the program worked for half of the students in it last year.
The remaining students mostly continued in the same preparatory class. Figures for how many dropped out are not available. The statistics thrill school leaders, but they caution that it will take three years before they can officially declare the program a success. Others beam about how good it is to like school and make their parents proud. Williams was stuck on discerning when a set of ordered pairs is a function.