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Atlanta area school paying students to learn
Filed under: Day Care & Education
It is a known fact that most kids can be motivated by money. Some parents use a cash incentive program to get their kids to do their chores and some even pay for good grades. But would you consider paying your child just for going to school? In essence, that is exactly what school officials at Creekside High and Bear Creek Middle schools in Fairburn, Georgia are doing.
It is called the "Learn and Earn" program and is targeted at kids who attend after-school tutoring programs. Based on attendance, grades, test scores and free or reduced lunch status, 40 students were chosen to participate in this program that will pay them approximately $8 an hour just for showing up after school. If their grades improve, they might even get a bonus.
The program is funded by a non-profit group and the district says the object is to see if paying kids will improve attendance, grades and test scores.
I don't doubt that the money will move some kids to make the effort to show up for their tutoring class. But I can't get over how much they are paying them to do so! I know many adults who work real jobs and make less than $8 an hour. I would bet there are even employees of that school district who make less than that.
It is called the "Learn and Earn" program and is targeted at kids who attend after-school tutoring programs. Based on attendance, grades, test scores and free or reduced lunch status, 40 students were chosen to participate in this program that will pay them approximately $8 an hour just for showing up after school. If their grades improve, they might even get a bonus.
The program is funded by a non-profit group and the district says the object is to see if paying kids will improve attendance, grades and test scores.
I don't doubt that the money will move some kids to make the effort to show up for their tutoring class. But I can't get over how much they are paying them to do so! I know many adults who work real jobs and make less than $8 an hour. I would bet there are even employees of that school district who make less than that.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
1-23-2008 @ 9:27PM
Uly said...And do they retain the knowledge later? Or do they learn it only for the short term and forget it right after? What happens when life stops paying them to study? Do they continue to do so?
Bad plan all around. If they don't have real motivation, find it - don't waste money trying to fake it.
Reply
1-24-2008 @ 8:40AM
queenoqueens said...The question of how to develop intrinsic motivation is a good one. How do you get a kid to WANT to study, do chores, etc. We'll have to see how this experiment works out. Perhaps the idea is to get them in the door, and if they just put in the time, they'll start learning by default, get better grades, feel better about themselves, then just get hooked on studying, etc. If it's a hook to get them on the road to self-motivation, then maybe it's good.
At least it sounds good in theory.
$8 an hour though.....that seems like a lot.
Reply