Could Offering Money Help Wyoming Students Get Good Grades?

All the kids are back to school for the 2022-2023 school year.

For some, they're glad to be back with their friends. Others are thinking about their upcoming game. Then you have the kids that are there to learn and work on the future.

When I was a kid, I was the one that was counting down the time to lunch, then for school to be over. I do remember one year when I worked hard to get good grades. It was 3rd grade and my grandma offered my $1 for B's and $5 for A's. I think she knew she wasn't going to have to come off much money, because A's weren't in my norm.

What she didn't know was that money was a great motivator, even for a 3rd grader and she gave me $7 when I got my report card.

There was a study done in a few different cities around the country, where schools rewarded kids for doing well in school. It seems that if the incentive was right, paying a kid CAN boost a kids performance.

The key is, the incentive. Money doesn't drive every kid, but just like adults, everyone has their price. Could be cash, could be items, could be trips or it could be a college education.

The thing is, college isn't for everyone. So what does a student that doesn't plan to go to college have to strive for?

In Wyoming the high school graduation rate was 82.4% for the 2020-2021, which is up for the 8th straight year. Could it reach an even higher percentage, if the students had something to inspire them?

If you work at a job that offers you the chance at bonuses if you hit certain goals, does it drive you to strive harder?

Something to think about. What are your thoughts? Let us know in our app.

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