Students paid for after school program

[Chadman]

Hmm, this is kind of interesting. Just thought I'd post it, as this seems like a proactive program to combat some of society's ills. Don't know if it makes sense, but I like positive ideas in the face of "nothing will ever change" mentalities...

Fulton to pay students in after-school program
Creekside High and Bear Creek Middle will pay students $8 an hour for "Learn & Earn" program

By MICHELLE E. SHAW
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/22/08
Fulton County schools want to pay students to stay in school a little longer.

Forty students from Creekside High and Bear Creek Middle schools in Fairburn will be the first to try the "Learn & Earn" program, where students will get paid to attend after-school tutoring programs.

Students will make approximately $8 an hour, and be eligible for bonuses if their grades improve, said Kirk Wilks, district spokesman. The initial students are in the eighth and 11th grades.

There will be a community kick-off Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Creekside High media center, 7405 Herndon Rd., Fairburn.

With the support of Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts, the pilot program will last 15 weeks and pay students for participation and performance. The object of the program is to determine if paying students to study will improve classroom attendance, grades and test scores, according to a news release from the district.

The initiative is funded by Charles Loudermilk, chairman and chief executive officer of Aaron Rents, through the Learning Makes A Difference Foundation. The foundation is a local non-profit designed to improve education through creative programs.

The students chosen for the program were picked by school staff, based on attendance, grades, test scores and free or reduced lunch status, the release said.

 

[ImFeklhr]

With the support of Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts, the pilot program will last 15 weeks and pay students for participation and performance. The object of the program is to determine if paying students to study will improve classroom attendance, grades and test scores, according to a news release from the district.

The real shame of the US educational system is that "test scores" have become this ridiculous obsession. And not in the good India/China way, where they churn out engineers.

The tests are massaged to suit whatever union or PTA groups needs and wants for money. It's such a game. Not to be overly dramatic but it honestly seems like "learning" rarely crops up in discussions about education anymore.... I know standardized tests CAN be a good way of figuring out where students are at, but I get the feeling that the system is basically so political it's out of control.

And shit, after school tutoring? My fat ass was either playing sports or sitting at home watching TV after school. The ONLY point of working kids to the bone for 10 hours a day is if we are creating math/science studs. Which we relatively do not. The great majority of us gravitate towards liberal arts, and that simply doesn't need so much work.

 

[djv]

This has promise. And No tax money in use. I said many times our schools should be used more then they are. Why is it they lock them up at 4 oclock.
My city is looking into ways to get more bang for tax payers bucks. Some senior programs are another way. Those who jobs have been sent over seas and need new training is nother.