The soft bigotry of lowered expectations

Half of the students I teach should not be in high school: they failed enough classes in middle school AND failed the standardized test that is required for high school - but here they are.

Add the misuse of the recovery policy (the district's policy requires reteaching, a time limit [like 2 weeks], an honest attempt the first time, an one recovery - that is NOT how it is envisioned by the administration and they insist that we implement it the way they see it not the district) - and the students don't see any real deadlines or necessity to follow instructions. I keep telling them (as do the other high school teachers) that the free ride is over. We have students who are taking Algebra I for the 4th time. They aren't going to be given a pity pass.

So, I'm trying to figure out how to make a final exam that is valid yet easy enough they can pass. They struggle with negative numbers - so this isn't easy to do.

I want them to succeed - in high school, in my class, but more importantly in life. They cannot see that what appears to be helping them (the recovery policy and lowered expectations) is really hurting the,