January 30, 2008
ATLANTA -- Alas, students in North Fulton schools will have to continue doing their homework and studying for tests without the benefit of a paycheck at the end of the week.
A select group of students from two South Fulton schools are enrolled in a pilot program to study the effects of paying students to study and raise their grades. The 40 students -- 20 each from Creekside High and Bear Creek Middle -- will spend the remainder of the school year attending after school tutoring sessions as part of the "Learn and Earn" initiative.
Greg Fields, assistant superintendent for high school curriculum with Fulton Schools, said the students are receiving four hours of after school tutoring in math and science each week. As a "reward" the students will get paid $8 an hour -- up to $32 a week -- to attend.
The funding for the program, estimated at about $60,000 for its 15-week run, is coming from private donations with no taxpayer dollars involved, Fulton School officials said.
"This is totally a study right now, but it will be interesting once the study is complete to see what the results show," said Kirk Wilks, director of communications for Fulton Schools.
The school system staff selected students based on attendance records, grades, test scores in math and science and economic status. Four teachers will conduct the program through May 15.
"Students will also receive additional cash rewards, up to $125 for 11th graders and $75 for 8th graders, if their math and science grades are brought up to a B level and targeted state test scores are achieved," Fields said.
The Learn and Earn program is the brainchild of former Georgia congressman Newt Gingrich, who has been touting it since 2003. Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts came on board in 2007. Charles Loudermilk, CEO of Aaron Rents Inc., agreed to fund the idea through the Learning Makes a Difference Foundation Inc. Gingrich's daughter is head of the foundation.
The Fulton County School System was selected to put the idea to the test -- pioneering the study to see if paying students to attend and participate in tutorial sessions will improve their academic performance.
"This is unique and exciting," said Pitts, who first heard about the idea from Gingrich at a Buckhead Coalition meeting. "Our objectives are to stimulate and motivate student interest -- and to ultimately help students improve test performance and raise their grades."
Overall, students at Bear Creek Middle and Creekside High score below average on state and national accountability tests.
Gingrich added he is looking forward to the study's end results after years spent mulling over the idea.
"It's great to see this original concept now being tested in local classrooms," said Gingrich.
The idea of paying kids to study, improve their grades and ultimately get excited about learning has always been the third rail of education (hands off). On one hand are educators who say the accomplishment of learning is the prize itself and financial incentives have no place in the classroom. On the other are those who say everything and anything must be done to help students at risk of failing.
- www.northfulton.com
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