by Bonnie Thomas

Created on: June 15, 2008

What will rewarding students with cash that have earned good grades do for our children? Handing out cash to students for good grades will delight those students that are already achieving good grades. Parents of these students will be thrilled that their honor students are doing so well and are being justly rewarded. This reward system may even motivate those students that have the ability, but have chosen not to utilize it. Parents of these children will also be overjoyed that their child has finally achieved the success that all of his teachers said that he was capable of if he just applied himself. Sounds great, right, but what about the low achievers and the students with disabilities? The low achievers will continue to have poor grades. Additionally, this monetary reward system will discriminate against students with disabilities. Generally, the curriculum is modified so that these students can be successful in the regular classroom. Often, these modifications and a whole-hearted effort from the student only lead to average grades. Once again, these students will be left behind.

What should be done? First, students should be provided with a high-quality curriculum. First rate teachers that are certified, motivated, creative, and truly interested in teaching should be employed to instruct students. Finally, the school environment should be conducive to learning. The environment should inspire the students. The best thing that a school can give a child is not tangible, like money, but something that they will have forever. This is intrinsic motivation. Students will be able to succeed in life if a school can help students to uncover and develop their intrinsic motivation. Students have to want to be successful and be willing to put forth the effort.

Students should definitely not be monetarily rewarded for good grades. This is not an opinion based on principle, but the fact that it is an unfair system. Cash will only motivate the community of learners that have chosen to underachieve, but truly have the ability. Cash may be the motivation that they need, but where will this leave them later in life? A monetary reward will only strengthen the gap between the achievers and low achievers. The students that have been achieving will continue to achieve and earn the reward. Low achievers will continue to struggle in the classroom and receive poor grades for their efforts. Students with disabilities will continue to struggle in academic areas and be pulled further apart from their peers. The only difference will be that the low achievers and students with disabilities will not be rewarded for their efforts. Therefore, we have to choose strategies that are fair and appropriate for all students.

Learn more about this author, Bonnie Thomas.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.