Kids Paid to Study Sparks Debate

Kids Paid to Study Sparks Debate

Monday, May 19, 2008

filed under: tween & teen logic

Earning money by learning led to good grades, but did it send the wrong message to students?

For 15 weeks, a group of low-income students in Fulton County, Georgia were paid $8 an hour, four hours a week, to go to after-school tutoring sessions, according to CNN.

The goal of the "Earn and Learn" project, funded by an Atlanta businessman, was to entice students into class with the hope that the experience would give them a greater love of learning. The program was launched by Jackie Cushman (daughter of Newt Gingrich), founder of the Atlanta-based nonprofit Learning Makes a Difference.

Although some of the students who participated in the program say that it did indeed help them raise their grades and become better, more engaged students, critics condemn the idea.

In an interview with NPR, Richard Lakes, associate professor of educational policy at Georgia State University, called the program "morally bankrupt," and said, "It reinforces that these children in particular are going to be servants of the middle and upper classes."

What do you think? Does paying kids to study send a bad message, even if results in better grades?

filed under: tween & teen logic

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I think that anything that will encourage a child to read, study and learn is a great idea, especially in places that typically have lower testing scores and graduation rates. I think that as long as the children being “paid” to study are earning higher scores and grades (thus proving that this system does work) the program should be allowed. For the students who genuinely don’t care and don’t actually use that time to their advantage, they shouldn’t be allowed to stay in the program. Also, many of them I’m sure needed after school jobs so it’s a win win situation all around. They get better grades ad have study time but can still make some extra spending money. When I was little my dad gave us $5 for every A on our report card. I don’t see a difference between these two situations other than the rate of “pay” being higher. Anyone who says that they’ve never bribed their children to do something is a liar. Who cares how these kids learn and graduate as long as they do it fairly and honestly?

- Sheila (Charm School Reject)

Posted 05/19/08 04:12 PM