Here's one thing you might consider adding to the back-to-school shopping list: cold, hard cash. Yes, for your massage appointments after waiting in the pick-up line, and driving to after school-soccer and back across town. But also for those kids who need an extra push to bring home the grades. So, you think this sounds crazy? It kind of is. But it's also kind of genius.
Before you bring out the pitchforks and torches (and remind us all about the bad economy we're in right now), let's take a minute to consider paying kids for grades.
For most kids, paying for good grades is ridiculous and setting them up for a lifetime of disappointment when they don't get a cash reward just for doing what they should be doing anyway. Good grades directly benefit your child; the cash reward is a double bonus that they really don't deserve. One could also argue that paying for grades is only for bad parents who don't want to be involved in their child's education or make any effort other than writing a check. All of these arguments would be correct and solid reasons against paying kids for grades with one big exception: when nothing else works.
A large-scale initiative in urban areas, and failing schools, did show some promise when kids started getting paid for getting good grades. In fact, at one school, the students' improvement was equivalent to them spending three extra months in school. That's a serious jump that benefits everyone in our society. If this is what it takes to help kids who don't have very many (if any) advantages to succeed academically, it's worth it. Children who excel in school have a much better shot at excelling in life -- and getting out of a cycle of poverty and all those negatives that go with it, as well.
So while most of us should keep our wallets to ourselves, paying kids for grades is not always a bad idea. In fact, sometimes it can be the answer.
What do you think about paying kids for good grades?
Image via JMRosenfeld/Flickr
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Comments 53
I guess that makes me a shitty mother because I do pay my kids for grades...its an incentive for them to work harder ...all three of my kids are honor students ..so yes it works
My dad use to pay me for good grades. Our school year was divided into 4 quarters. For A's and B's first quarter I got $25, A's and B's second quarter I got $50, third I got $75, and fourth I got $100. But if at any time I brought home a report card that didn't have only A's and B's I got nothing and we started back at $25 for the next A and B report card. I think it's a great idea. Once you graduate and get a job you are rewarded for doing you job well. My mom always told me as a kid, school is your job.
I consider school to be their JOB....I know when we do well at work we can earn bonuses and other incentives, why can't the kids?
I won't pay my son for good grades because he's 3 and we're nowhere near this issue. I can see how some kids may need it when nothing else works. I see nothing wrong with it considering many parents reward their kids for doing chores. How is that any different? It's not. If you don't like the comparison with chores and grades, then I see nothing wrong with it since the majority of kids get a reward for their high school graduation. How is that any different? Again, it's not. You graduate high school and have a graduation party and many people give out cards with cash or checks in them. Any way you slice the cake, it's no different. So this seems to be like such a non-issue. Don't want to reward them for good grades? Then don't reward them for doing their chores during the week, etc.