Paying for grades?

Posted in Mom Stuff
by besttech

Not so long ago, during my school days, I remember taking my report card home for my mother to see. Sometimes I was proud to show it off and other times, well, I could have done a wee bit better. The fact is that doing well and trying my hardest was something that was expected of me. It was a “you must” not a “well if you feel like trying” issue. Cut and dry, black and white … “do your best” was the only option.

When we did well the most we could expect was a pat on the back or a verbal “job well done.” Never did we receive rewards, especially monetary rewards, for doing something that was just plain expected of us. Things seemed to have changed quite a bit since I was a kid, that’s for sure.

On the radio this morning they were chatting about how up to 5,000 freshmen in 20 Chicago public schools are participating in a new program called “Green for Grade$.” A pilot program geared to keep kids in school by paying them for good and “average” grades. These kids are making money (like a job) to stay in school and get paid $50 for each A, $35 for a B and even bring home $20 for each C. Heck I would have been grounded for getting a C, but these students are getting money for it.

Every five weeks the students are tested in math, science, social science and PE. However, there is a catch for these Chicago students. They don’t just get the money up front. Nope. Half now, and the other half upon their high school graduation. But is it right to have to pay a child to get good, or even average, grades? Or pay them to graduate for that matter?

While I believe taking an interest in children, even more so in regards to their education, is a wonderful idea, I have to wonder what the long-term effects would be. Are we giving in to an already overwhelming problem where children feel that there are entitled to everything ? Why can’t children be held responsible to just do what is expected of them, which is to go to school, do the work and just try?

Is this really encouraging these students to try harder because it’s the right thing to do or because they see the green dollar signs?

Although I realize its not an ideal world where all parents are able to take an active role in encouraging their children nor to economically provide them with all the tools or supplies needed for success in school. Which on some positive note leaves me to think that Green for Grade$, which is not funded by taxpayer dollars, could be just the right boost for a child of low income.

As it is, the pilot is under way with some mixed emotions. Some folks believe the students will learn and strive to better themselves, while others think the pilot is only encouraging them to do things for the right price. I suppose we will just have to wait and see …

–Donya, CHICAGO MOMS BLOG

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This is an original post from the Chicago Moms Blog (http://www.chicagomomsblog.com). Donya can also be found rambling on her personal blog, Crooked Eyebrow (http://www.crookedeyebrow.com/), and Shrinking Jeans (http://www.shrinkingjeans.net/).