Sounds Good To Me
I got awesome grades in HS so I am biased, but I think this is a fantastic idea.
Students will be measured every five weeks in math, English, social sciences, science and physical education. An A nets $50, a B equals $35 and a C still brings in $20. Students will get half the money upfront, with the remainder paid upon graduation. A straight-A student could earn up to $4,000 by the end of his or her sophomore year.
I read some critics saying how doing well in school should be it’s own reward, blah blah blah. Ideally yes, but those kids are already getting good grades. The test schools are in poor communities and the money is from private donors. So instead of having a charity donation that relies on a one-time donation and hopes for a trickle down effect, you have a funded experiment that might really get some kids on track with their education.
“It’s a terrible idea, because you’re getting people to do things for the wrong reasons,” said Barry Schwartz, a Swarthmore College psychology professor who has written on the issue. “They’ll do well in school, maybe, but they won’t take any of it out with them. Instead of trying to cultivate an interest in learning, curiosity . . . you are just turning this into another job.”
Considering that most people go to school to eventually get jobs, isn’t that a good thing? Job experience, woot! But seriously, if you never thought about going to college, and you are just coasting by on C’s so that you don’t have to do summer school, maybe this plan inspires you to get A’s and B’s. Now your grades are looking good and you probably score higher on standardized tests, and you might get yourself some merit and/or financial need scholarships. Obviously this won’t make every kid into a super-student, but imperfection should never be a reason to choose inaction over a good attempt.
I did find it interesting that you can earn money every 5 weeks for getting an A in gym class, though…
Elsewhere Online | Kabitzin 9/12/2008
By Chris, 9/12/2008 @ 7:14 pm
What a waste of money! In Soviet Russia, your parents sell you if you don’t get an A. Seriously, we shouldn’t be doing anything for money but for love! I fully agree with the job part too. So can I get a blow job instead?
By Jesus159159159, 9/14/2008 @ 12:41 am
yea, I’d rather have those students who don’t want to work just fail and be bums in the streets, and we can make a bridge with them…ERR,,, I MEAN, LOVE POWER CONQUERS ALL!!!
I feel that receiving money for something this easy (yea, I was/am an A/B student) would spoil them too much. I whore-heartedly agree with Chris’ idea though =3
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By Chris, 9/14/2008 @ 8:10 am
It’s because the comment was X-rated.
By catnip, 9/16/2008 @ 3:00 pm
I am afraid though. Just think of the cheating that can go on when there is an actual award associated with getting good grade. Incentive to basically start a black market or something.