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A cynical idealist; To Read Me Is to Know Me (Mostly)
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Next Question: Can Students Be Paid to Excel?

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Many schools in New York City are experimenting with monetary incentives to promote learning.

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{"commentId":1542555,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

We discussed this before here and I posted a memoir piece on the issue. It's a complicated but important question.

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  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 9:49 AM EST
{"commentId":1543714,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

Scott, I was going to leave a comment here, but when I started to near 200 words I thought it best to make it its own post.

I don't think schools should pay students to learn and here's my list of reasons why.

{"commentId":1543714,"threadId":"229643","contentId":"1345078","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#2 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 2:10 PM EST
{"commentId":1561562,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Off to go read your piece. Thanks for the link.

{"commentId":1561562,"threadId":"229643","contentId":"1345078","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 2 votes
#2.1 - Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:40 PM EDT
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{"commentId":1563078,"authorDomain":"tacitus13"}
Critics of these efforts say that children should be inspired to learn for knowledge's sake, not to earn money, and question whether prizes will ultimately lift achievement.

I think it's a bad idea and only a short-term fix (and a costly one at that).

{"commentId":1563078,"threadId":"229643","contentId":"1345078","authorDomain":"tacitus13"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#3 - Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:30 PM EDT
{"commentId":1569456,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

I agree and that's sort of what I just said at Vacelts excellent article on the topic.

{"commentId":1569456,"threadId":"229643","contentId":"1345078","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 1 vote
#3.1 - Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:59 PM EDT
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{"commentId":1569573,"authorDomain":"ffeineandsugar"}

Same thing is happening in Baltimore right about now - the new CEO is from NYC, and is importing the idea. Info on it here.

{"commentId":1569573,"threadId":"229643","contentId":"1345078","authorDomain":"ffeineandsugar"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#4 - Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:25 PM EDT
{"commentId":1569585,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

Scoring well on exams doesn't equate to learn. This is just enforcing bad habits.

{"commentId":1569585,"threadId":"229643","contentId":"1345078","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 3 votes
#4.1 - Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:28 PM EDT
{"commentId":1573951,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

That's true - I've seen that on the local tv stations (I live in Hagerstown md, not far from Baltimore) and saw teachers and students getting paid (if i recall right) and was shocked until I read this and other stories.

{"commentId":1573951,"threadId":"229643","contentId":"1345078","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 1 vote
#4.2 - Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:17 PM EDT
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