Fulton to pay students in after-school program

Atlanta Journal Constitution ^ | 01/23/2008 | Michelle E. Shaw

[too much time]

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.

[too much time]

I wonder why our public schools are failing? Are the students in charge, or the admininstration?

[Def Conservative]

I remember the superintendent of the school was on Fox and he said Newt Gingrich helped him come up with this idea.

[the lastbestlady]

Take it from a teacher...theinmates have been running the prison for a long time. In some places more than in others.

There is no hope.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

If they’re gonna pay anyone, it should be the students who are doing well! And even that idea is nutz!

[N3WBI3]

“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.”

You have to be kidding! Eight Dollars an hour!

[oldenuff2no]

So my child who works his butt off for great grades wouldn't have a chance at the cash. Let us reward the lazy kids and parents who won't and don't do what they are supposed to do in school and with their homework. Why don't they reward the ones who have been doing the right thing all along?????????
Punish the ones who don't and won't. How about if they don't pay attention in class they get to go outside and move big rocks around or dig big holes by hand???? How about if they don't do their homework then their parents have to come and help them move big rocks and dig big holes.

[Re-electNobody]

Not surprised about Newt’s involvement in this plan. Hasn’t he been complimentary of FDR? How “conservative” of old Newt.

[CarryingOn]

The first thing the kids need to do is form a union. $8 is pretty low, an how about some benefits. They don't need to discriminate about who gets the paying “jobs” either. and holiday pay for when schools are closed. This is a great idea.

[massgopguy]

Instead of giving these kids Diplomas along with their $8 an hour. They should get a certificate that says “get used to that $8 an hour kid.”

[too much time]

The goal in our district (rural Georgia) is to give the educrats at the Board office recognition for increasing the numbers that graduate. My 9th grader took a field trip to the mall last week as a reward for having good grades and attendance. Some of the kids who were not invited on the "incentive" field trip had their parents bring them to the mall to meet up with their friends. She went bowling the month before.

Can't use the tax money toward educational field trips - little Johnny could never understand the big words used at the museum.

[Osage Orange]

I remember the superintendent of the school was on Fox and he said Newt Gingrich helped him come up with this idea.

Something eating Newt's brain lately........

[ERJCaptain]

Fulton County doesn’t exactly have good public schools, although it is better than the state in general. Several years ago (1993) my family moved to Atlanta. I was in middle school at the time and went to public school in North Fulton, that same year my mother began teaching elementary school again also in Fulton. The next year, I was in private school. Take that how you will.

[ReignOfError]

It’s a pilot program with private-sector funding. So I can’t get too upset about it. I doubt it will be effective, but it can’t hurt too much to try.

[the lastbestlady]

Sorry, I think you misunderstood me. I DO NOT think they should be PAID to go to school for ANY reason. If they don’t want to do their work they can get the hell out.

[businessprofessor]

I think that a strike is needed. These deplorable wages, lack of benefits, and horrible working conditions cannot stand. The union teachers and non union students should stand in solidarity with their union brothers and sisters so that the school cannot function.

[Wings-n-Wind]

Your hard-earned tax dollars at work!

[too much time]

Where did you move from?

[Bigg Red]

Amen, sister.

Former (thank goodness) teacher here.

[shag377]

Public Ed Ping.

[SoftballMominVA]

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