Cash In Exchange For Good Grades? Hmm . . .
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
What if your school decided to give you cold hard cash in exchange for doing well in tests? Think you would work harder to improve your scores? That's the experiment being conducted by a number of schools in Virginia Beach and so far, the results have been quite encouraging.
However, before you get your hopes up, the incentive is not being offered to kids in every grade - Only high school students who are motivated enough to enroll for Advanced Placement (AP) courses and, take the tests.
Also, not everyone who takes the test is eligible for the cash - Only students with a score of 3 and above (maximum is 5), the level at which they are exempt from taking the course in college, are rewarded. And while $100USD seems like a lot of money, most of it is used for paying to take the exams. The students usually end up netting about $20USD per test.
The funding for this program, which is being tested in about a dozen high schools, has been obtained from The National Math and Science Initiative, a public-private partnership set up to encourage high-school students to take up more challenging courses.
While this is a rather unusual way of encouraging students to step up to the challenge, it seems to be working. Salem High School, which is participating in the program, is experiencing a substantial increase in the number of students enrolling in AP courses. The teachers are also quite pleased - For not only are they receiving additional training, but also, funding in a lump sum rather than piecemeal, enabling them to acquire the class materials all at one time. Sounds like a win-win for everyone. Do you think paying students to study is a good idea? Let us know, by adding your comments below.
Resources: odditycentral.com, wavy.com
Cite Article
Geography
Learn Keywords in this Article
743 Comments
narutoplaysmcabout 10 years#Math4Money Reply with your answer for this question: Would you rather take a bunch of boring tests, and get what like 20$ a test or just get allowance and do chores. (I obviously choose #2, not doing the test)
happypug12about 10 yearsThat would be cool to be paid for getting good grades, but what about home schooled people? They would get left out.
mckid100almost 10 yearsikr :(
- bob the builderabout 10 yearsi like the idea
cupcake4321about 10 yearsI would totally work for money- Animal Loverover 10 yearsI agree with "8ntgotmyswag." Also, if everyone does well, then they could possibly lose some money.
8ntgotmyswagover 10 yearsI think that children should not be rewarded with money because you should do what you are supposed to no matter what the reward is
nikukyualmost 10 yearsYou are so right. I mean, you should study-it's a normal thing to do, and you shouldn't be rewarded for something thats taken for granted for a lot a people. It's bribery, wouldn't it be better if we all studied no matter the reward?- happypug12almost 10 yearsSo true, nikukyu. I agree.
- Cool girlover 10 yearsNo it is not a great idea to give kids money because you just give them 20 dollars. If you give them more money it will be better.
- Sharkover 10 yearsNo because we always do these incentives in our school and if we get paid the teachers won't have money.
- Bubble Buddyover 10 yearsNo because some kids already have jobs, so they do not need the money.
- bobcatsover 10 yearsI disagree beTcause your teacher is wasting money and you need it to buy food so that is why we get ice cream .