In CPS and elsewhere, cash incentives paying off for students

Next week, the district will make its third payout under its
pilot pay-for-grades program, a controversial initiative that allows high
school students to earn cash toward college for good grades. More students have
signed up for the program since its launch in September, CPS says. Among high schools
contacted by Catalyst, the percentage of students who received checks for good
grades was rise over the first two payouts. 

Next week, the district will make its third payout under its
pilot pay-for-grades program, a controversial initiative that allows high
school students to earn cash toward college for good grades. More students have
signed up for the program since its launch in September, CPS says. Among high schools
contacted by Catalyst, the percentage of students who received checks for good
grades was rise over the first two payouts.  

Here are the percentages of students who received checks in
the first and second payouts:

More than 400 additional students from the 20 participating
high schools have now signed up for the program: 3,749, up from 3,299 initially.
Citywide, about half of students received checks in the first round; CPS
declined to provide data for the second payout.

The
program, created by HarvardUniversity economist
Roland Fryer, allows students to earn $50 for A’s, $35 for B’s, and $20 for C’s
in core subjects. Students earn half the money up front, and half when they
graduate. The program is privately funded.

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