Would Cash Rewards Buy Test Success?

Imagine getting paid up to $500 for passing a really hard test in high school. Now imagine you're the teacher, and you get $150 for every student in your class who passes that test. Chances are, you'd both try a little harder.

That's the scenario at 46 high schools in Texas, where cash incentives and training have dramatically increased the number of students taking and passing the rigorous Advanced Placement classes.

Through private donors and a nonprofit organization that oversees the incentive program, the schools have seen a phenomenal rise in students of all races, gender and income taking the college-level courses, and ''passing,'' or scoring 3 or higher on a 5-point scale. One school district saw a 600% rise in students passing AP math, science and English tests.

http://www.tennessean.com/education/archives/03/10/40448911.shtml?Element_ID=40448911

possibility of a whole lotta cheatin' goin' on. It's hard for me to believe the kids got smart all of a sudden, or that they got so motivated over $500 that they worked hard at AP classes all year. Most kids aren't that forward-looking, and if they are, they are already doing well in AP classes.

as opposed to a "bragging rights" point of view, this is a BAD, BAD idea.

First of all, it teaches kids that learning is so distasteful that they need to be bribed to do it. Second, it puts terrible pressure on teachers and principals to cheat, or at least to "teach the test."

If I were a teacher who really cared about my students' learning, I would tell those "private donors" where they could shove their incentives.

82 of my students passed the AP test last year for free! ($12,300 for me?)

But I never would have cheated to have gotten the money! We could do that, BUT


It would be wrong!

;^p