Behind the Headlines

Harvard economist, Roland G. Fryer, is suggesting school districts pay students cash for high scores on standardized tests with the belief their performances will improve.

Some districts across the country have tried this approach. One district in Massachusetts paid children $25 for perfect attendance. Another in Dallas paid $2 for each book the children read.
I think it’s one thing if parents are rewarding their children for achieving good grades or scoring high on a test, but it’s another when school districts are paying for the achievement.

Should schools offer incentives such as money to entice students to do well? What should those incentives be? Are districts promoting the right thing? What do you think?