I read this article today in the NY Times about rewarding students for academic performance with cash. It reminded me of a Bloomberg Initiative, Seedco, which uses a cash reward structure for both families and children. Actions such as applying for a library card or getting annual physical are rewarded with cash. Annually, a family can earn $4,000-$6,000 with the program. There are major concerns about the sustainability of such behaviors. Without the reward, will families continue to go to the library? Will kids continue to strive for good grades and high test scores?
The article promoted me to think about the readings this week about making family and community work part of our economic framework. It also brought me back to our conversations about the close ties between education, health and poverty. Could we harness such programs above, such that they "rewarded" performance with tools that improved health but also appealed to the students and family? A free dance class? A slot on a soccer team? Furthermore, should we incentivize and recognize the efforts that go into parenting a child? And how?
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I'm glad you posted this Radha! I find the whole extrinsic rewards thing quite interesting. In grad school we were told to focus on intrinsic rewards for our students. But at some point, we were also shown a video about this man (who had nothing to do with the school system) who was giving money to extremely low-income elementary school kids based on their grades. Basically the better you did, the more money you received.
I don't remember much detail but I do remember a young boy saving money for college (he must have been in 4th grade). By going to college, it's assumed this student has a better chance at securing a higher paying job later in life. I wonder what people would find by following these students into adolescence and then into adulthood. Would the money they earned help them come out of poverty?
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