Up until last year, we had had so many students in the hallways during class time.  At any given time, there would be nearly a dozen—all with passes from their teachers--some going to the nurse, others going to the restroom, and still others going to their lockers.  Near the end of the year last year at our Lead Teacher council meeting, a teacher was there to present an idea to us.  He suggested that we just not allow students to leave class.  We give them six minutes in between classes which is enough for them to do what they need to do.  If we keep students in class, maybe they (and some teachers) would realize how important instruction is and the value of being in the classroom.  So, at the beginning of school last fall (2011) administrators went to all third period classes and told the students that their teachers had been instructed not to let them out of class during the period. If the student chooses to leave, the teacher has the right to write up a referral and notify the principal that the student left class without permission. 

After almost a full year of “no passes,” I am curious to know how much of an effect this policy had on data.  It is clear to see at any given time of the day fewer than five students in the hallways during class.  Most of these students have passes from an office or a teacher’s aide running an errand.  So, one can see that the “halls look better,” but what else has this policy affected?  If one were to take a look at data concerning attendance, discipline, passing rates, and even state test scores, would there be a noticeable improvement?  So, pulling data from these realms for last year’s 9th, 10th, and 11^th graders could possibly show what effects, if any, have occurred.

 

As of now, the data from last year has been collected and disaggregated.  Reflections and observations on the first year have been noted.  We are into the first six weeks of the second year of the policy, and the students are beginning to adjust.  It will be interesting to observe the change in data as proof to the effectiveness of this policy.