2 Georgia Schools Paying Students $8 an Hour to Study - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-25-2008, 12:04 AM

Link

FAIRBURN, Ga. - Learning is supposed to be its own reward, but when that doesn't work, should students get paid to do it?

That's the question two Georgia schools are asking in a 15-week pilot program that is paying high-schoolers struggling in math and science $8 an hour to attend study hall for four hours a week.

The privately funded "Learn & Earn" initiative, an idea from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, is touted as the first of its kind in the state and one of a few similar programs nationwide.

"We want to try something new," said Jackie Cushman, Gingrich's daughter and co-founder of the group funding the initiative. "We're trying to figure out what works. Is it the answer? No. Is it a possible idea that might work? Yes."

Forty students at Bear Creek Middle School and Creekside High School, both in the Atlanta suburb of Fairburn, began participating in the program Tuesday. The eighth- and 11th-graders chosen had to be underperforming in math and science, and many are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches.

The hope is that the bribes will boost students' motivation to learn, attend class and get better grades.

Aside from the hourly wage, eighth-graders will get a $75 bonus, and 11th-graders $125, if they improve their math and science grades to a B and achieve certain test scores. For the older kids, that adds up to $605 for a semester of studying.

Cushman said the initiative is aimed at math and science because many student struggle in those subjects even if they excel in others.

The offer could help poor students who need the money and otherwise might choose a minimum-wage job over studying, said Jerome Morris, an associate professor at the University of Georgia's College of Education. He also noted that parents who have the means to reward their children for performing well in school have done so for decades.

"Poor families just can't do that," Morris said. "They have to tell their children, 'You have to go to school just to learn.'"

The director of a private center aimed at improving motivation, however, said plying kids with cash is a desperate move by school officials.

"They have not figured out a way to self-motivate these kids," said Peter A. Spevak, director of the Center for Applied Motivation in Washington, D.C. "What really drives a person is the desire to do well and the good feeling you have after doing your best every day."

Paying children to learn may work in the short term, but before long, the luster could wear off and they may look to up the ante, Spevak said. Ultimately, it could become a losing game.

"When you take the money away, assuming it has been effective, people sometimes get angry or disillusioned," he said. "They may start to wonder where the next prize is coming from."

The $60,000 initiative is being funded by Atlanta businessman Charles Loudermilk, founder of Aaron Rents, through the Learning Makes a Difference Foundation Inc., an Atlanta-based nonprofit that funds innovative education programs and was founded by Gingrich's daughters.

Alexis Yarger, one of the Fairburn program's participants, is eager to try anything to improve her grades.

The 16-year-old Creekside junior plans to attend Spelman College, and says that although she's doing OK in science, "Math is not my best."

Yarger, who has a part-time job at Burger King, said she was interested in the program even before she heard about the financial incentives. She would have taken part even without the money, she said, but her father said the cash doesn't hurt.

"It's a good motivational tactic," Anthony Yarger said. "Whether it's a dollar or a candy bar, if it's helpful, I support it."

catlover79 · 01-25-2008, 12:07 AM

I just saw that on the news. That's not much less than what I make in an hour. Pathetic!

junecleaver · 01-25-2008, 12:20 AM

Wouldn't it be cool if students got paid to attend school and study?

Life would be so much easier for students, no worrying about work on the side because you'd be making money already

Kinda like killing 2 birds with one stone. I'm just kidding though, it's kinda ridiculous to pay people to attend school, but whatever works for them....

PZelda · 01-25-2008, 09:45 AM

I've always wished I got paid to go to school.

Especially college. You know, tuition and all.

Too bad I don't live in Georgia, and that I've been out of high school since 2003. Math and science really weren't my best subjects in school.

tanquant · 01-25-2008, 10:56 AM

That was never an option when I was going to school. Math was always my worst subject. Nowadays all they think about is the EOG testing. Where I live they don't even teach penmanship in elementary anymore. You have middle schoolers that can't even write in script. Anyway, I don't think that this will work out in the long run. Eventually they will want more money.

Sterling Holobyte · 01-25-2008, 12:29 PM

They think they are solving something by putting a bandaid on it, but the only thing those schools are teaching is a love of money.

waichingliu81 · 01-25-2008, 01:39 PM

this is just.... bribery. i couldn't agree more with you guys.

*ClassicPinUp* · 01-25-2008, 01:42 PM

With all the things they could use that money for...

When I have children I would never let a school pay them to study! You either do your work so you can better yourself or your @ss gets left behind. When I was in school if everyone got good grades on their report card we had a pizza and ice cream party and you know what... it worked. And we enjoyed working for it! Going to school and learning is a privilege not some part time job you need to be paid for!

junecleaver · 01-25-2008, 02:35 PM

I think a pizza party or anything that pretty much all students will enjoy is the best idea to get children to start studying. You probably can't do that with middle and high schoolers, but good studying habits can never start too early.

If your children ever say they are struggling in math..please look at the teacher. I have struggled in math a lot, and it wasnt because i didn't study...i had a lot of rotten teachers who were too fast and didn't want to take the time to help you out much. When they did help you, they would get frustrated and that of course makes anybody nervous. I found that in the 8th grade, i had my best math teacher. She made me understand math and i finished the class with an A, compared to my previous math class in which i made a D.

01-25-2008, 12:04 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,441	2 Georgia Schools Paying Students $8 an Hour to Study Link FAIRBURN, Ga. - Learning is supposed to be its own reward, but when that doesn't work, should students get paid to do it? That's the question two Georgia schools are asking in a 15-week pilot program that is paying high-schoolers struggling in math and science $8 an hour to attend study hall for four hours a week. The privately funded "Learn & Earn" initiative, an idea from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, is touted as the first of its kind in the state and one of a few similar programs nationwide. "We want to try something new," said Jackie Cushman, Gingrich's daughter and co-founder of the group funding the initiative. "We're trying to figure out what works. Is it the answer? No. Is it a possible idea that might work? Yes." Forty students at Bear Creek Middle School and Creekside High School, both in the Atlanta suburb of Fairburn, began participating in the program Tuesday. The eighth- and 11th-graders chosen had to be underperforming in math and science, and many are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches. The hope is that the bribes will boost students' motivation to learn, attend class and get better grades. Aside from the hourly wage, eighth-graders will get a $75 bonus, and 11th-graders $125, if they improve their math and science grades to a B and achieve certain test scores. For the older kids, that adds up to $605 for a semester of studying. Cushman said the initiative is aimed at math and science because many student struggle in those subjects even if they excel in others. The offer could help poor students who need the money and otherwise might choose a minimum-wage job over studying, said Jerome Morris, an associate professor at the University of Georgia's College of Education. He also noted that parents who have the means to reward their children for performing well in school have done so for decades. "Poor families just can't do that," Morris said. "They have to tell their children, 'You have to go to school just to learn.'" The director of a private center aimed at improving motivation, however, said plying kids with cash is a desperate move by school officials. "They have not figured out a way to self-motivate these kids," said Peter A. Spevak, director of the Center for Applied Motivation in Washington, D.C. "What really drives a person is the desire to do well and the good feeling you have after doing your best every day." Paying children to learn may work in the short term, but before long, the luster could wear off and they may look to up the ante, Spevak said. Ultimately, it could become a losing game. "When you take the money away, assuming it has been effective, people sometimes get angry or disillusioned," he said. "They may start to wonder where the next prize is coming from." The $60,000 initiative is being funded by Atlanta businessman Charles Loudermilk, founder of Aaron Rents, through the Learning Makes a Difference Foundation Inc., an Atlanta-based nonprofit that funds innovative education programs and was founded by Gingrich's daughters. Alexis Yarger, one of the Fairburn program's participants, is eager to try anything to improve her grades. The 16-year-old Creekside junior plans to attend Spelman College, and says that although she's doing OK in science, "Math is not my best." Yarger, who has a part-time job at Burger King, said she was interested in the program even before she heard about the financial incentives. She would have taken part even without the money, she said, but her father said the cash doesn't hurt. "It's a good motivational tactic," Anthony Yarger said. "Whether it's a dollar or a candy bar, if it's helpful, I support it."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

01-25-2008, 12:07 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I just saw that on the news. That's not much less than what I make in an hour. Pathetic!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

01-25-2008, 09:45 AM	#4
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	I've always wished I got paid to go to school. Especially college. You know, tuition and all. Too bad I don't live in Georgia, and that I've been out of high school since 2003. Math and science really weren't my best subjects in school.
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

01-25-2008, 12:29 PM	#6
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	They think they are solving something by putting a bandaid on it, but the only thing those schools are teaching is a love of money.
	__________________ "Let it go. Forget about it. Try smiling." -Michael Harris WPIV studio producer/shoe salesman/grocery store employee/Ex-sanitarium patient/Stephanie's boyfriend-then husband --------------------------------------------------- My 2nd First Blog:http://saturdaymorningfunnies.wordpress.com/

01-25-2008, 01:42 PM	#8
ClassicPinUp ***** Senior Member** Join Date: Oct 28, 2006 Posts: 2,246	With all the things they could use that money for... When I have children I would never let a school pay them to study! You either do your work so you can better yourself or your @ss gets left behind. When I was in school if everyone got good grades on their report card we had a pizza and ice cream party and you know what... it worked. And we enjoyed working for it! Going to school and learning is a privilege not some part time job you need to be paid for!
	__________________ Imy firefighter!

01-25-2008, 12:20 AM	#3
junecleaver Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 28, 2003 Location: i'm a southerner! :D Posts: 1,298	Wouldn't it be cool if students got paid to attend school and study? Life would be so much easier for students, no worrying about work on the side because you'd be making money already Kinda like killing 2 birds with one stone. I'm just kidding though, it's kinda ridiculous to pay people to attend school, but whatever works for them....

01-25-2008, 10:56 AM	#5
tanquant Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 13, 2003 Posts: 864	That was never an option when I was going to school. Math was always my worst subject. Nowadays all they think about is the EOG testing. Where I live they don't even teach penmanship in elementary anymore. You have middle schoolers that can't even write in script. Anyway, I don't think that this will work out in the long run. Eventually they will want more money.

01-25-2008, 01:39 PM	#7
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	this is just.... bribery. i couldn't agree more with you guys.

01-25-2008, 02:35 PM	#9
junecleaver Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 28, 2003 Location: i'm a southerner! :D Posts: 1,298	I think a pizza party or anything that pretty much all students will enjoy is the best idea to get children to start studying. You probably can't do that with middle and high schoolers, but good studying habits can never start too early. If your children ever say they are struggling in math..please look at the teacher. I have struggled in math a lot, and it wasnt because i didn't study...i had a lot of rotten teachers who were too fast and didn't want to take the time to help you out much. When they did help you, they would get frustrated and that of course makes anybody nervous. I found that in the 8th grade, i had my best math teacher. She made me understand math and i finished the class with an A, compared to my previous math class in which i made a D.