Education Reform With Incentives and Reward Strategies in Chicago

The reward strategy implemented by the Chicago public school systems awards $10,000 to 60 different schools that have showed the most improvement on a standardized test. This reward strategy is somewhat suspect in its creation. I am a firm believer of using a reward system, however, I am not positive that offering money as the reward is appropriate.

As a junior high teacher of Reading last year, I utilized the “reward system” a lot. For example, I would offer the children a contest in reading comprehension or spelling. Whatever students completed the task correctly would receive a piece of candy. The kids work harder and appear more concentrated when there is a reward at the end of the task. I have recommended this tactic to many new teachers as a way to keep the children’s interest, especially in subjects most children dislike (Math). New teachers have approached me with astonishing results saying they could not believe the increased amount of effort a child will display when offered a piece of candy.

I fully endorse reward systems. However, I don’t think that offering money should be the reward. Many children are already over exposed to the desire for money. On television there are numerous shows where the contestant has to perform crazy stunts for money. Children also see the need for money in the contracts of athletes and movie/music stars. In Massachusetts where I live and teach, the lottery is the largest in the country. Many people buy lottery tickets in hopes of “hitting it big”. Children are constantly being given the wrong message that quantity is better than quality.