A Des Moines high school applies some tough love to keep kids in class.
(AP) _
A Des Moines high school has raised the price of admission to the prom: Students must go to class.
Students with even one unexcused absence from March 13 through Friday won't be able to attend the dance on Saturday.
East High School is being watched by other schools' administrators to see whether the policy affects class attendance, as intended.
Lincoln High School Principal Paul Williamson told The Des Moines Register that educators know that if students don't go to classes, whatever their reasons, they're much more likely to fail.
East's attendance was 88 percent at the end of last school year, compared with the statewide average of 95 percent. This week the rate was almost 94 percent.
