Paying Students for receiving good grades, attendance, etc. How do you all feel about this???

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Gump on April 12, 2010 at 2:50pm

I think sometimes it is hard for many people to understand the situations of others. I grew up in a wonderful, middle class neighborhood with great schools and supportive parents who emphasized the importance of education. Many, many, many kids do not have that.

I taught middle school in a very poor area of easter NC. There was little to no parental involvement and those kids had no motivation to do well in school. Most of them were in awe when I told them they could go to college if they just got the grades.

My initial reaction to paying for grades was the same as yours. I also read the Time article this past week. After more thought I am not so sure it is 100% wrong. Part of what IS wrong with our educational system is that too many people think it should be a one size fits all approach and that just does not work. Just like some kids are visual learners and some are not....some kids have a system in place where money is not needed....many kids don't.

I think teachers, adults, educators and communities need to do whatever it takes to spark something in each child that will drive them to work hard and succeed in school. If that means $50 for some kids.....then I am all for it. I know kids who are smart and have the abilities...just nothing and no one making them believe in themselves.

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Barkai on April 12, 2010 at 4:50pm

Hi,

I do hear what you are saying, and I suppose since I too, was brought up in a middle class neighborhood where there was that support system and many kids who wanted to succeed, I initially was very against the idea of paying our students to do well. But, I do know that there are many neighborhoods that are in poverty and kids who did not grow up with the same privileges that I did.

Like I said, I do see both sides and I guess I just find it a pity that this is the route we have to take. What will those kids end up doing with the money after they get it? I worry about that too...but I do see your point and I do agree that as parents, educators, school administrators and communities in general we need to find creative ways to stir up excitement in learning...I suppose even if it means paying for good behaviour and good grades! Thanks for your responding.

Rebecca Barkai/CEO
www.startingoutsmall.com
info@startingoutsmall.com
Kelly Gump said:

I think sometimes it is hard for many people to understand the situations of others. I grew up in a wonderful, middle class neighborhood with great schools and supportive parents who emphasized the importance of education. Many, many, many kids do not have that.

I taught middle school in a very poor area of easter NC. There was little to no parental involvement and those kids had no motivation to do well in school. Most of them were in awe when I told them they could go to college if they just got the grades.

My initial reaction to paying for grades was the same as yours. I also read the Time article this past week. After more thought I am not so sure it is 100% wrong. Part of what IS wrong with our educational system is that too many people think it should be a one size fits all approach and that just does not work. Just like some kids are visual learners and some are not....some kids have a system in place where money is not needed....many kids don't.

I think teachers, adults, educators and communities need to do whatever it takes to spark something in each child that will drive them to work hard and succeed in school. If that means $50 for some kids.....then I am all for it. I know kids who are smart and have the abilities...just nothing and no one making them believe in themselves.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Gump on April 12, 2010 at 6:15pm

I do agree it is a pity...very sad really. Some kids just start off with two strikes against them.

Rebecca Barkai said:

Hi,

I do hear what you are saying, and I suppose since I too, was brought up in a middle class neighborhood where there was that support system and many kids who wanted to succeed, I initially was very against the idea of paying our students to do well. But, I do know that there are many neighborhoods that are in poverty and kids who did not grow up with the same privileges that I did.

Like I said, I do see both sides and I guess I just find it a pity that this is the route we have to take. What will those kids end up doing with the money after they get it? I worry about that too...but I do see your point and I do agree that as parents, educators, school administrators and communities in general we need to find creative ways to stir up excitement in learning...I suppose even if it means paying for good behaviour and good grades! Thanks for your responding.

Rebecca Barkai/CEO
www.startingoutsmall.com
info@startingoutsmall.com
Kelly Gump said:

I think sometimes it is hard for many people to understand the situations of others. I grew up in a wonderful, middle class neighborhood with great schools and supportive parents who emphasized the importance of education. Many, many, many kids do not have that.

I taught middle school in a very poor area of easter NC. There was little to no parental involvement and those kids had no motivation to do well in school. Most of them were in awe when I told them they could go to college if they just got the grades.

My initial reaction to paying for grades was the same as yours. I also read the Time article this past week. After more thought I am not so sure it is 100% wrong. Part of what IS wrong with our educational system is that too many people think it should be a one size fits all approach and that just does not work. Just like some kids are visual learners and some are not....some kids have a system in place where money is not needed....many kids don't.

I think teachers, adults, educators and communities need to do whatever it takes to spark something in each child that will drive them to work hard and succeed in school. If that means $50 for some kids.....then I am all for it. I know kids who are smart and have the abilities...just nothing and no one making them believe in themselves.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Starr on April 14, 2010 at 4:51pm

I personally don't agree with it -- but I can say my son's tennis teacher used $1.00 bills to motivate my son to learn. While I thought it was unconventional, it worked...hmmmm, makes you think.

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Barkai on April 14, 2010 at 6:00pm

Terry,

That is too funny! I guess with an extra curr. activity it may not bother me "as much" but I agree, it all does get the mind thinking! Thanks for responding and I just LOVE MyWorkButterfly.com

Regards,

Rebecca

Terry Starr said:

I personally don't agree with it -- but I can say my son's tennis teacher used $1.00 bills to motivate my son to learn. While I thought it was unconventional, it worked...hmmmm, makes you think.

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Permalink Reply by Nina Damavandi on April 14, 2010 at 11:29pm

When I was growing up, in the 70's with a very strict and somewhat terrifying father, and with both parents constantly emphasizing the importance of education, I was punished for any grade less than an "A." I was appalled when I found that some of my classmates were rewarded with cash from their parents, on a sliding scale, even getting paid something for a "C" and getting something for each grade on their report card. But that was their parents choice I suppose. However, I think that teachers using cash to reward students is troublesome. While I can see that it may be effective, and models their future, where they are compensated for the work they do, I also think that it can create other problems.

Despite the unionization of teachers, can they afford to do this? I see so many purchasing supplies for the classroom that town budgets are not covering. And I have to send my kids to school with boxes of tissues and a laundry list of items that my parents never had to provide my schools (all public). If one teacher begins this trend, will it make students act out toward teachers who don't reward them?

Perhaps some other type of reward system would be more effective, especially if utilized throughout the school.

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Barkai on April 15, 2010 at 12:02am

Nina Damavandi said:

When I was growing up, in the 70's with a very strict and somewhat terrifying father, and with both parents constantly emphasizing the importance of education, I was punished for any grade less than an "A." I was appalled when I found that some of my classmates were rewarded with cash from their parents, on a sliding scale, even getting paid something for a "C" and getting something for each grade on their report card. But that was their parents choice I suppose. However, I think that teachers using cash to reward students is troublesome. While I can see that it may be effective, and models their future, where they are compensated for the work they do, I also think that it can create other problems.

Despite the unionization of teachers, can they afford to do this? I see so many purchasing supplies for the classroom that town budgets are not covering. And I have to send my kids to school with boxes of tissues and a laundry list of items that my parents never had to provide my schools (all public). If one teacher begins this trend, will it make students act out toward teachers who don't reward them?

Perhaps some other type of reward system would be more effective, especially if utilized throughout the school.

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Barkai on April 15, 2010 at 12:05am

Hi, Nina,

I hear what you are saying, I am so sorry you had a tough upbringing, but I am sure you have learned a lot from getting the good grades. It is funny that you mention about bringing the tissue boxes, my two older children (grade 4 and grade 1) both have long lists each year of supplies they have to bring and they go to a private school where I am already paying through the nose for, it makes me mad too...I agree, I think the $ can be better spent in other ways, though I do see some of the other people who have commented, their points...tough, very tough...why can't everyone enjoy school like I did and my kids do?! LOL, only kidding...but it would make life a lot easier.

Take care,

Rebecca Barkai/CEO
www.startingoutsmall.com
info@startingoutsmall.com

Rebecca Barkai said:

Nina Damavandi said:

When I was growing up, in the 70's with a very strict and somewhat terrifying father, and with both parents constantly emphasizing the importance of education, I was punished for any grade less than an "A." I was appalled when I found that some of my classmates were rewarded with cash from their parents, on a sliding scale, even getting paid something for a "C" and getting something for each grade on their report card. But that was their parents choice I suppose. However, I think that teachers using cash to reward students is troublesome. While I can see that it may be effective, and models their future, where they are compensated for the work they do, I also think that it can create other problems.

Despite the unionization of teachers, can they afford to do this? I see so many purchasing supplies for the classroom that town budgets are not covering. And I have to send my kids to school with boxes of tissues and a laundry list of items that my parents never had to provide my schools (all public). If one teacher begins this trend, will it make students act out toward teachers who don't reward them?

Perhaps some other type of reward system would be more effective, especially if utilized throughout the school.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Starr on April 15, 2010 at 9:52am

Thanks Rebecca -- so glad you are enjoying the MyWorkButterfly community!! This is a very interesting subject you bring up... i hope more Butterfly moms chime in!!

Rebecca Barkai said:

Terry,

That is too funny! I guess with an extra curr. activity it may not bother me "as much" but I agree, it all does get the mind thinking! Thanks for responding and I just LOVE MyWorkButterfly.com

Regards,

Rebecca

Terry Starr said:

I personally don't agree with it -- but I can say my son's tennis teacher used $1.00 bills to motivate my son to learn. While I thought it was unconventional, it worked...hmmmm, makes you think.

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