
Many schools in New York City are experimenting with monetary incentives to promote learning.
We discussed this before here and I posted a memoir piece on the issue. It's a complicated but important question.
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.
Off to go read your piece. Thanks for the link.
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).
I agree and that's sort of what I just said at Vacelts excellent article on the topic.
Same thing is happening in Baltimore right about now - the new CEO is from NYC, and is importing the idea. Info on it here.
Scoring well on exams doesn't equate to learn. This is just enforcing bad habits.
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.
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