Abbott Elementary Season 6 Episode 5 Recap: Barbara Takes on the District

Janine knows Gregory is going to propose, and she can barely keep it to herself. She even uses recess to explain to her class how hard it is to wait for something you're excited about. Meanwhile, Barb and Jacob are at a seminar called The Game of Learning. Barb is there for the catering. Jacob is there to hang out with Barb.

The conversation turns to the district's mandated curriculum and what teachers should do when a student falls far enough behind to be held back. The instructor says that if everyone works hard and does their best, the student can still pass. Barb jumps in, figuring he can't possibly mean they should pass a failing student. Turns out that's exactly what he means. According to the district, students can't succeed if they fail.

When Barb and Jacob say they don't pass failing students at Abbott, the other teachers laugh. Back at school, they find out why. Even Melissa has passed a failing student, though she says the district forced her hand. Barb wants to fight the policy and invites Jacob over to brainstorm. Jacob is elated.

Gregory Has a Problem, and Janine Gets Played

Gregory has a problem of his own. He has to fire Dom, whom he's been mentoring. Dom has missed more than 20 days of work, and staff only get 10 days off. But Dom is a smooth talker, and when Gregory and Melissa sit down with him, they have so much trouble getting to the point that they put the whole conversation off.

Courtney takes Janine up on her open-door policy. I'm hoping this doesn't go left, but this is Abbott. When Courtney tells Janine she's sad, Janine doesn't know what to say. She changes the subject and asks about streamers, and Courtney looks hurt.

The dance squad wants new uniforms, but they're $200 each. When Gregory and Melissa go to talk to Ava about Dom, she has a question of her own. Do they have 2K? Gregory asks if she means the video game. Ava asks why he's so poor. Janine reaches out to Ms. Alomar, who suggests the three of them meet in Janine's classroom. Remember when I said I hoped this wouldn't go left? Courtney tells them a story that's clearly made up, but Janine doesn't realize it's from Finding Nemo until Courtney is already out the door.

Barbara Stands Her Ground

After Jacob leaves the brainstorming session, Barb's husband reminds her that they've talked about retirement. Barb still looks like she has plenty of fight left in her. The district representative tells her that failing grades mean lost funding. He agrees to let Abbott do things its way but warns that if students fail, it'll reflect badly on the teachers and the school, and they'll have to deal with the consequences.

As for Dom, he wanted to get fired all along. He plays Gregory and Melissa and gets the severance he needs to tide him over while his real estate career gets going. The girls get their uniforms thanks to Mr. Johnson, who uses his bonus check to pay for them. Courtney and Janine clear the air, too.

Another good episode. Abbott is back in the swing of things. 10/10.

What did you think?

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