Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

| CWK Producer

Schools in some of the biggest cities in America- Washing D.C., Chicago, New York City- are trying to motivate kids in school with money, giving them cash for good grades. And in some schools it's working. Nearly forty percent boost in test scores. But, of course, it's not without controversy.

Kids have a lot to say about getting paid for getting good grades. Is money the great academic incentive?

"I wouldn't be mad if the school paid me twenty bucks for each "A" that I received," says Timothy.

Seventeen-year old Lauren says, "I've been paid for getting good grades since I was younger."

"I think it's an okay thing. There should be a reward for getting good grades," says William, 16.

But should that reward be money?

"I feel that might be a good incentive for students to make good grades. However, that might increase cheating," says Amanda.

Some kids say money for grades is a bad idea because the emphasis is misplaced.

"I think that's kinda crazy because kids should do well because they want to do good in life," says Matthew, 17.

Fourteen-year old Elizabeth agrees: "Well, I think it kind of loses sight of the goals that schools try to teach you because schools try to teach you to work hard so you get into a good college, so you get a good job."

Education has never been more important. So, what is wrong with a little incentive, even if it is money?

"It may get some short-term results because it's a novel idea. It's something that's tangible," says Peter Zervakos, a high school principal. "It's a quick reward. Everyone enjoys money."

But Zervakos says consistently rewarding kids with money could create a "what's in it for me?" attitude.

"At what point does the person learn that you've got to do things simply because that's your responsibility?" says Zervakos.

He says kids need to be internally motivated. They need to be reminded that with or without rewards, working hard for grades is what is expected of them. But he concedes kids do need a little recognition every now and then for a job well done.

William thinks that's a good idea. "It's nice to have a little incentive along the way, just to keep you going."

Gold stars and smiley face stickers, once the rewards for good grades, have been replaced with cold, hard cash. The Sparks Program, in New York City, pays 7th grades up to $500 and 4th graders up to $250 for their performance on 10 assessments. Since its inception last year, students have improved their scores in state tests by as much as 40 percentage points.

For example, at PS 188 on the Lower East Side, 76 percent of fourth-graders met or exceeded state benchmarks in English -- 39.6 percentage points higher than last year, when the kids were in third grade.

At MS 343 in The Bronx, 94 percent of seventh-graders met or surpassed state standards in math this year -- 37.3 points higher than last year, when the students were sixth-graders.

Many parents agree with the school officials and say giving children money for exceptional work is simply a reflection of the business world. Parents feel hard working students deserve to be rewarded monetarily, just as adults are, and that cash is an appropriate incentive as long as it brings home the good grades. In fact, many parents use money as an incentive at home as well, with each "A" earning $10 and each "B" $5.

Other parents disagree. They feel students should strive to succeed to get ahead in life, not to receive cash. Many believe teachers, schools and parents are sending the wrong message and that students should not grow up expecting to earn rewards for tasks naturally expected of them. The argument is that it is a child's duty and responsibility to earn good grades and money should not be the motivation.

Tips for Parents

Is it a good idea to give cash in exchange for good grades? That is something each family must discuss and decide. Evaluate your teen's grades. If the grades are good, continue with the plan you are using. If the grades could use some improvement, take the opportunity to discuss the importance of good grades. Explain how good grades will help them children into the college of their choice.

If this does not work, consider a reward system. Ask them what they would like to receive for grades. If money seems to be the best motivator, but you are not comfortable handing over cash for them to "blow," you do have some options that will motivate and educate.

One option is to take the opportunity to teach your teen the value of a dollar. Family Education Network suggest the following tips:

• Once a dollar amount is established, sit down with your teen and establish a money management program or financial plan.
• Begin by designating 35 percent of their "grade money" as free spending money. This would be theirs to do spend as they wish. At least half, in this example 65 percent, must be saved.
• Your teen can open their own savings account, or if you are stock and mutual fund savvy, try to get them investing early and on a regular basis.
• Have your teen give a percentage, 10 percent for example, to charity.

If you are uncomfortable with rewarding good grades, consider other options for helping them achieve academic success. One of the most important things you can do to help your teen succeed in school is to become involved. Consider the following ideas suggested by the American Federation of Teachers:

• Know your child's school family. The teacher is the primary player in your child's school environment, but there are others (such as counselors and librarians) who make a valuable contribution. Attending parent-teacher conferences, open-school nights and other events are the best way to get acquainted with these important people.
• Expect success at school. Children work best when they know what you expect of them. Discuss these expectations with your children -- expectations for good grades, attendance and study habits. Encourage them to take courses that will challenge them, but not overwhelm them. For example, high school students usually can choose from several English courses and several mathematics courses. Discuss these and other course options with your children. Make sure they are choosing courses that will interest and challenge them.
• View unsatisfactory grades as an opportunity. All parents want their children to receive good marks and advance to the next grade, but do not expect a teacher to give your children a grade or honor that they have not deserved. Make it clear to your child that grades are not ''given'' - they are earned. If your child receives an unsatisfactory report card, use this as an opportunity to restate your own commitment to high standards. Discuss with your child (and the teacher) what he or she will need to do differently to improve the grade and advance to the next level.
• Help your child keep pace. Absences, family problems and other distractions make it difficult for a student to keep up with lessons and assignments during the school day. Ask a teacher if your school district offers after-school tutoring, summer programs or other activities that can prevent your child from falling behind.
• Monitor your teen's part-time job. For many teenagers, holding a part-time job is an important rite of passage into adulthood. It teaches students about the working world and how to manage money. But a part-time job can cut into study time and add to the stress of teen years. Grades can fall, and attendance can suffer.

References

• American Federation of Teachers
• Family Education Network
• Miami Herald
• New York Post

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