The number one trait 21st century companies are looking for in their employees is innovation.
Innovation is a creative process where you don’t always succeed the first time. “Learn and earn” type incentive programs imply that learning and test scores are black and white. However, we know those who understand the gray are the real winners in society and in the workplace.
Monetary incentives are out of touch with one of the key factors needed to best promote achievement in children – an intrinsic desire or at least an appreciation for the endeavor of learning.
It takes building an academic culture in schools and homes to nurture this, not building a payment structure.
We must address these questions:
- Why don’t children get intrinsic satisfaction from learning in school?
- How can we fix this failing of education?
Let’s pay our children for those things that would cause them to take more pride in their schools, communities and service organizations. Things like:
- Tutoring younger children
- Cleaning up the school grounds
- Assisting with sports programs for younger students
- Researching healthier menus for our school cafeterias and create plans for implementing them
Back in the day, motivation and reward came intrinsically from a fear of failure. You studied and worked hard because failure simply wasn’t an option. Now we offer numerous choices for those who aren’t bothered by failure – GED programs, alternative schools and summer school to name just a few.
What do bribes teach children?
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The surest way to raise selfish, rude, contentious, unhelpful children is to have low expectations for what they can and should offer the family and community!
Early education is the key! Teach them to become a responsible citizen who loves to learn and you will not need money or alternative programs for those who fail because they simply will not except failure.
