It's pretty apparent the education system in this country is less than lack luster. It's been in a steady decline for several years and America is far behind many countries in the quality, quantity, and access of education. It has been buffeted by so many budget cuts, soaring tuitions, ineffective/unaffecting teachers and leaders, corruption, unfair standards and a continually less enthused and inattentive student body.
As with our government, radical change is severely needed. Up to the plate comes Washington D.C. Chancellor of Education, Michelle Rhee. First she closed several schools that were suffering and not keeping students up to par. She then 86'd a number of principals and teachers who were not, pardon the pun, making the grade. And now, in an attempt to boost not only GPA's but overall upstanding behavior of students/children, she has implemented a cash incentive in the amount of 100$, to be paid each month to those who are studious and excercise good moral comportment in the community.
As a child and certainly as a parent who is at wits end trying to motivate their child to do well in school, this is awesome!!! There are however, several people, both parents and faculty alike, who are deeply opposed to such actions. They feel that it will only hurt students in the long run.
I believe that it starts with solid nurturing from the parents and then ultimately culminates in the child's sense of self and achievement (which are constantly bombarded by multiple external influences). I'm not entirely sure on which side of the fence I sit regarding this issue. I certainly give credit where credit is due. Kudos Chancellor Rhee! I am behind brave and radical change to break through hurdles 150%. It's the cash incentive that I'm uncertain of. In a progressively desensitized society, however, I suppose it comes down to using whatever stimulus you can find that instigates positive response...
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