Should students be paid for getting good grades? Yes, students should be paid for good grades. According to Psychology Today the United States has fallen behind other nations on key measures of education and approximately ? of students drop out before graduation. Experts point to inadequate motivation as a key problem. Too many students are bored by school or distracted by unstable family life or any number of the other diversions that face students today. Of course learning has it’s own rewards, but some students respond best to cash.
If incentives for good grades can play a role in motivating learning then wherever possible, these cash for grades programs should be put into effect. A major reason to pay students for good grades is that these cash incentive programs have helped low-income students stay in school and get better grades. According to a study released by the social-policy research group MDRC, cash incentives combined with counseling offered “real hope” to low-income and nontraditional students at two Louisiana community colleges.
The program was simple: enroll in college at least half time, maintain at least a C average and earn $1,000 a semester for up to two terms. Participants were 30% more likely to register for a second semester than students who were not in the program. And the students that were first offered the cash incentives were more likely than their peers to be enrolled in college a year after they had finished the two term program. Students offered the cash incentives in this program did not just enroll in more classes; they earned more credits and were more likely to attain a C average than nonparticipants.
Although U. S. college enrollment has climbed, college completion rates have not. More cash for grades incentive programs may help improve upon the number of college graduates among lower-income students. Another reason to pay students for their good grades is that it will encourage students to take more challenging classes in school and help improve their chances in getting into a better college. According to a USA Today article some of the cash incentive programs in places like Arkansas, Alabama, Connecticut, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington pays tudents $100 for each passing grade on advanced placement (AP) college-prep exams.
These incentives will definitely get students interested in theses AP courses and will help them understand their value. This program was modeled after another program adopted in Dallas TX that saw AP course taking jump substantially. An analysis of the program in TX found that it linked to a 30% rise in the number of students with higher SAT and ACT scores and an 8% rise in students who entered college. Paying these students to pass their AP exams gives them the incentive to make the right decision and choose the more rigorous class.
It will teach them that if they work hard and have a lot of support they can do something they did not think they could do. Another reason to pay students for good grades is that it will help some students comprehend the value of working hard in class and the value of an education. Some students understand the benefits of becoming the best basketball player or the fastest track athlete in the school. But what many students do not understand is the benefits of becoming a good student. According to a U. S.
News and World Report article, Roland Fryer a Harvard University professor, partnered with administrators in 3 urban school districts to offer students money in return for their classroom achievements. Students of randomly selected elementary, middle, and high schools in Chicago, Washington, and New York City can earn hundreds or thousands of dollars in a single year just for being good students. In Chicago, Fryer helped implement an incentive program for about 3,750 high school freshmen in 20 schools because concern was expressed about the high rate of students who drop out in 9th or 10th grade.
At the end of every five week grading period, Green for Grades participants can earn $50 for every A, $35 for every B, and $20 for each C. Due to this program 16,000 freshman voluntarily returned to school one month early to receive mentoring and academic support. The students that these programs are aimed at do not necessarily have access to adults who have graduated from college, and they don’t necessarily understand the value of an education.
The point of these programs is to help these students understand that there are many benefits to being a good student, not just some green in their pockets. Whether it be Cash for A’s, Green for Grades, or any other incentive program for students these programs have proven to be great enticements to motivate learning for students of all ethnic backgrounds and educational levels. These programs have the capability of helping many students so there should be more programs like these more widespread across the U. S.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
