$$ for Grades Doesn't Make Cents

I recently read an article in the Chicago Tribune, which you can view here. The subject is "paying students for good grades." An 'A' earns $50, a 'B' nets $35, and each 'C' is rewarded with $20. I really do not see how this is a good long-term solution to kids' motivation problems. The idea of paying for grades reminds me of an except from a certain famous comedian's stand up routine: some people want to be rewarded for doing what they are supposed to do.

After reading a few of my CI 335 classmate's blogs, I see that there are a variety of reactions to this idea. Some, like Ryan, like the idea of paying students for their good grades. He says that it is a way to "even the playing field" because it gives children from poorer families the same incentives that more wealthy children have. Though he likes the program, he does acknowledge that there are some negative aspects, such as the fact that many schools are left out and that the program's effectiveness could eventually be lost. On the other side of the debate is Angela. She doesn't support the idea because it makes kids value money over learning. Schools aren't supposed to be the same as businesses, and the money used for the program may eventually start to come from taxpayets' pockets. Other viewpoints fall in the middle, such as Mallory's. Rather than use money to motivate kids, intrinsic motivation techniques must be used. She sees the positives that the program is trying to reach, but perhaps there are better ways.

To me, it just doesn't make too much sense to pay students for grades. I think most teachers have taken a class or two about educational psychology. If not, I'm sure they've studied motivation at some point. Students who have an "ego goal orientation" have their learning connected more to circumstances. If they get a good grade, a sticker, praise, etc., they're proud and study. These same kids are the ones whose grades slip if they don't see a reason to study. Teachers should want students to be intrinsically motivated to learn. Learning itself is the goal, not the grade or prize at the end.

I don't think all rewards are bad, nor do I think that not all teachers who support this program think that rewards are the ultimate solution. I just don't believe that this is the right way to go about solving our problems. Paying students will lead to a future of adults who care about what's in it for them. People should care about self-improvement and volunteer work, which don't typically come with a paycheck. I think this is another step in the wrong direction. College athletes aren't paid. Should they be? Good parents aren't paid. Should they get bonus checks from work? No, people shouldn't get paid for everything good thing they do.

Sometimes it can be difficult for students to find the motivation to study. Perhaps they have to work a job to support their family. Maybe their parents aren't very responsible. I don't know all the reasons why students don't perform well in school, but I'm not very confident paying them for grades is the answer. I suppose it doesn't hurt to try the program out to see if it does, but I have my doubts.