We have a similar problem in our school district. Administration has set the basement grade for the first three marking periods at 55%. For the last marking period, the basement is 0%. Their reasoning is that they don't want the students to be buried for the year by one bad semester early on. Unfortunately, we are in the same situation as your school, in that these kids play the system to their advantage. They know that they can do absolutely nothing for two smesters and still be able to pass for the year. My feeling is that the student should be held accountable for their actions, and if they earn below 55%, then that is the score they receive. Maybe they will learn a valuable lesson about the importance of good grades, hard work and respect if we hold them accountable right from the start. Sadly, we are setting these kids up to fail in the future by enabling them to get something for nothing in the present.