From the Other Side of the Desk

I'm sitting here giving a test and as I look out at my class I'm concerned. All the desks are in rows, except seven. These seven are facing the wall. This not being my classroom (I teach the rest of the day at the high school) I ask why? Why are seven desks facing the wall? I am told 73% of this year's eight graders are in danger of not promoting to high school due to failing grades. These desks are for the 73%, who need to catch up. They have been given packets of make-up work for all their missing work (even from the fall); a last chance to catch-up. For the next few weeks they do not participate with classmates in learning new instruction. They face the wall in isolation to do their packets. These seven desks pain me. Are we just enabling the students by giving them chance after chance to catch-up? Is there no accountability, no consequence for choices? I've been told this happens every year, so why? Why is it that they do this if almost all students get promoted anyways? There is a flaw with this system, this mode of operation. Maybe for once students should face their consequences? Maybe students, maybe parents would realize promotion doesn't happen due to age. Maybe there should be higher expectations and accountability. Why is it people of this community just accept it because of the reputation? I don't know the answers, but these questions can't be suppressed.

From the Other Side of the Desk -- full of questions with no answers