Chicago Public Schools: Green for Grade$

Original Article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/content/education/chi-money-for-grades-11-sep11,0,4916582,print.story

Do you think this is a smart idea? Why? Why not? Does your position change depending on your viewpoint as a parent or a teacher or a taxpayer?

Two additional articles:
http://www.cps.edu/News/Press_releases/2008/Pages/09_11_2008_PR1.aspx
http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1157373,CST-NWS-skul11web.article

Two additional opinions pieces:
http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2008/09/16/OpinionColumns/Chicago.Public.Schools.System.Should.Not.Turn.Into.Chicago.Public.Money-3432432.shtml?refsource=collegeheadlines
http://www.pe.com/columns/steverosen/stories/PE_Biz_S_kidsandmoney14.19c0668.html

I first heard about this topic from our teacher, Pr. Williams, during office hours and immediately went home and googled the subject. I read the Chicago Tribune article then, and I was completely dumbfounded. I could not believe that a school system would think it would be beneficial to pay students for their grades. (I do have to admit that one of my thoughts was, "Where is my money for all those A's?") Anyways, this is now going to cause a great deal of controversy.

I do fully understand that a lot of the students in the Chicago Public Schools do not come from families of economic wealth and that maybe money will be a motivator to keep the kids in the classrooms instead of on the streets, temporarily. Yes, the key word there is temporarily. The students may find that they are motivated in the first couple semesters of high school to be attentive, strive for good grades, and get that money. Now, money is usually a big motivator, especially in the United States, but I just do not see students' attitudes changing so significantly over money.

Now what happens if these students use that money in inappropriate ways? How does the administration know where this money will be spent? Could the school district actually be funding drug, alcohol or gun possession? I believe that this money should be limited to a voucher system. Maybe a student can buy more books or a computer to expand their knowledge as opposed to sole freedom of spending the money on anything. Better yet, put the money into a college fund for the student and try to motivate the student to want a higher education.

Another point of interest: why not just give this money to the schools to improve their resources? I believe that students are more motivated by a positive environment and attitude of the classroom. With more resources and more staff to aid the students, the overall disposition towards school will be significantly more positive for both the students and teachers.

I feel that this 'bribe' is simply a band-aid. Instead, I believe a new outlook needs to be adopted. A student should want to learn for the sole purpose of learning- not to gain an extra twenty dollars to go to the movies. The idea of getting cash for your grades is too short-term. If we want students to do well in school, it has to be a change in attitude, actions, and motivation that can carry on for the rest of their lives and not just for that $50 for that one A they received.