Hoping to reduce the number of student suspensions, the Davenport schools started a new "diversion" program last fall. And it seems quite successful so far - dropping the number in all grades by 30 per cent, and resulting in a 53 per cent drop at the high schools.
Spokeswoman Dawn Saul says their goal is to discipline unruly students, but as much as possible, keep them in school. So last fall the district hired five "diversion coaches" for the intermediate schools, and three "diversion teachers" for the high schools.
She says the problem students are kept in school, going to class when possible, and working with the coaches and teachers.
During the 2014-2015 school year there were a total of 3,000 in- and out-of-school suspensions for Davenport high school students, but with the new diversion program that number dropped to just 14-hundred last year. And Saul says there's been great feedback so far from both staff and students.