There are plenty of programs that require daily practice, but they are not your program. Every program is different. You will need to implement small changes over time to hone in on what works with you.

Are you in a large, or small school? Small program directors unfortunately need to play politics and find ways to encourage students to practice without forcing kids out. Larger programs can generally afford to weed out kids that don't get with the program, or at least push them into a lower band or scale jail where requirements are less.

My policy has changed over the years but I've learned that the students who are going to practice are going to practice anyways, the ones who aren't going to practice will continue to not practice (or lie about it) and I need to focus on choosing music that takes this in to account. I also run my rehearsals with the understanding that a large portion of our practicing is taking place during class- have a plan, no dead time, work them like rented mules.

You also need to consider what is going to happen when report cards come out and eligibility is affected. Are you accommodating all of your 504 students appropriately? Are you contacting the parents of your (potentially) failing students to the extend that your district requires? Are you willing to lose students to grades in your own class? Let's assume you have athletes - are they going to stay in band if their band grade is keeping them from playing their sport? Is your administration going to mind your retention being lower than they desire even if the group is "better"?

These are questions whose answers are different for every director and situation, but it is important that you consider them. I did not as a young director and found myself in some unfortunate situations.