Chicago Students "Cash In" on their Improved Schoolwork in Pay-for-Grades Experiment
"Lots of families choose to give their kids allowance when they do well…all we're saying is, it's worth—a shot. And then we are going to evaluate it and see where we are at that point."
Just as sure as children need discipline—to learn what is acceptable behavior and what is not, and to learn what things are safe and what things aren't—positive reinforcement goes a long way in helping to form good character.
As a mother, who—with my husband—combined both methods of parenting, I know that sometimes a little extra motivation (especially when it comes to schoolwork) can work out well. We gave my son and daughter a certain amount of money if they brought home A's or B's in their report card.
While there is a debate on a school system actually paying their students when they earn good grades, one cannot deny the results of the "Green for Grades" program that started this September in 20 Chicago public high schools.
Chicago public schools CEO Arne Duncan told ABC News, "We have to do everything we can to get our dropout rate down to zero and to do it as fast as we can." (Photo: ABC News)
In the nation's third largest school system (over 650 schools) half of the freshmen entering public school in Chicago were reportedly "leaving without a diploma."
The payout (which is privately funded by donors and a foundation) is a lot more than we ever paid my kids, however! The students in Chicago's "Green for Grades" program earn $50 for A's, $35 for B's and $20 for C's, but only for their freshman and sophomore years. It is hoped that the program will have fostered a desire to continue working hard during the students' junior and senior years of high school.
To help accomplish that motivation through the entire high school experience, half of the money coming to each child is withheld until after they graduate.
As this school year's first term comes to an end, what are the results of this experiment so far, and what are the students saying about the program?
According to the ABC News report, students are "seeing the difference on their first report card"—178 young people cashed in on $45,000. And students have gone up a letter grade in average. Not only that, but some students said they worked harder, comprehended more because they were listening to their teachers, and they tried not to have any late assignments.
Dr. Roland Fryer, creator of the program, said, "Lots of families choose to give their kids allowance when they do well…all we're saying is, it's worth—a shot. And then we are going to evaluate it and see where we are at that point."
To watch the Good Morning America video report, follow the link provided.
