ALMOST HALF OF CENTRAL STUDENTS OPT OUT OF FINAL EXAMS

Final exams began Wednesday at Cape Girardeau Central High and Erin Phillips celebrated.

Phillips, a sophomore, doesn't have to take any of her seven final exams. Instead she's spending class periods eating popcorn and visiting with friends in the auditorium.

About half of Central High's students have opted out of one or more final exams through a program to encourage attendance. Exams are being given today and Friday also.

Principal Dan Tallent called the program a resounding success.

Attendance has increased an average of 3 percent over last year. The lowest attendance days were at 94 percent.

More than 200 students had perfect attendance and didn't miss even one hour of school.

"It was more successful than my greatest expectation," Tallent said.

Students earned the option to skip final exams in classes where they had no absences and at least a C grade. Students couldn't have any discipline referrals.

Students may take exams if they want to try to raise their grades, but most were happy to spend class periods in the auditorium rather than taking the tests.

"There were a lot of days I didn't want to get up," Phillips said. "But you get so far and you don't want to miss."

Junior Brandi Brown saw at least two benefits. "I think more kids are coming to school, and I know it keeps me out of trouble," she said.

Sophomore Dax Tobin said final exams generate a lot of stress for students. He missed half a day, so he has to take half his exams. "But at least it's only three," he said. "I don't have to get all that stress and all those hours and hours of studying."

Junior Brandy Haman said the incentive program didn't make her change her habits. She always comes to school, stays out of trouble and keeps her grades up.

"But this is nice. We get something a little extra," she said.

Schools often are quick to discipline students but slow to offer rewards, said teacher Joe Bradshaw.

"This gives us a chance to reward them," Bradshaw said.

"To me this is one of the biggest motivators to bring students to class."

Bradshaw's social studies classes include class discussion and lectures. Absent students miss that information.

Teachers are reporting less makeup work and less re-teaching, Tallent said. Also, since the school's share of state money is based on average daily attendance, higher attendance means increased funding.

The idea for an attendance incentive program came from a student advisory committee at the high school.

On the downside, some students came to school sick and some teachers are concerned that students won't learn how to take final exams, a skill needed for college.

"At the end of the year we will revisit how successful the program was and what we can do to make it better," Tallent said.