What’s all this outrage for North Carolina school principal, Susie Shepherd, for supporting her parent advisory council’s innovative use of marketing incentives? Who are we kidding? I used to teach, so I know how some schools operate like they’re in the third world, without proper books and resources. This school was just looking for creative ways to raise much-needed money.
In my opinion, the outpouring of disdain is hypocritical. The days of doing well in school for the intrinsic value are waning, as more parents offer reward systems. Read Barbara Coloroso. The kindergarten sticker turns into a car at 16 – IF you get good grades.
Sure, it’s disappointing, and certainly not the ideal way to raise and educate children, but the real world is comprised of all kinds of incentives – discount coupons, loyalty programs, work bonuses, gifts, prizes… Many nonprofits engage kids in fundraising events by offering prizes. i.e. MS Readathon. Open a box of cereal and get a prize. Collect enough bottle cap liners and win something big. Kids are exposed to this type of promotion every single day as soon as they can understand what it’s all about.
Are kids immune to being motivated by a few points on a test? Gosh, NO. It’ll likely mean increased revenue for the school. Are the extra points going to make a big difference? Likely not. Teachers aren’t stupid. This was purely a marketing incentive for a fundraising project.
“Shepherd rejected the suggestion that the school is selling grades. Extra points on two tests won’t make a difference in a student’s final grade, she said.”
Notice the other incentive prizes that have nothing to do with grades.
Rosewood Middle School price list:
- A $20 donation buys 10-point credits to be used on two tests of the student’s choice.
- A $30 donation buys the test points and admission to a 5th-period dance.
- A $60 donation buys students test points, the dance invitation, and a “special 30-minute lunch period with pizza, drink and the choice to invite one friend to join them.”
- Photo ops with Rosewood principal Susie Shepherd, the vice principal, and a home room teacher go for $75. The photos will be posted on a school bulletin board and on the school’s Web site.
Teaching was my first marketing job. Try exciting junior high students for mandatory string instrument classes. Need I say more?
If Susie Shepherd is a good principal with a good work history, she should be able to keep her job. What do you say?
Tags: fundraising, grades, marketing incentives, prizes, school
Elaine, this is brilliant! I think all schools should implement this type of program from K-12!
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That way, I could ‘donate’ $5,000 a year to guarantee my kid gets straight A’s and gets into the Ivy League college of his choice at the end of it (because I think colleges/universities should be the next to implement it. And then businesses…). The $5K certainly helps the school and will definitely make the parent’s advisory council feel like geniuses!
As well, it’s much easier on me as a parent because I now don’t need to worry about hammering my kid about studying and getting good grades, which leaves more time for manicures, pedicures and shopping.
And the best benefit of all?! My kid can now play sports, watch TV and play PS3 without stress, which will make him easier to tolerate…
Overall, this is a win-win situation!
[Sarcasm brought to you by hard work, studying and good grades.
Beth, what can I say? Of course I believe in hard work and studying. But parents and educators are forever fighting an uphill battle with all the marketing messages and incentives out there. Haven’t you ever rewarded your kids with behavior modification treats? Isn’t that the same thing?
She denies the notion that she is selling grades, yet a student can buy a 10 point bump in two test scores for $10?
I like the idea for the fundraiser but that part crosses the line if I understand it correctly.
Elaine, I agree with Chief Academic officer Garland who said, “Exchanging grades for money teaches children the wrong lessons. She also said it is bad testing practice and is unfair to students whose parents can’t pay.” Points for special dances, lunch with the teacher etc –OK. Grades? Not so much.
Elaine, actually I don’t have kids but if I did I can tell you that I would surely be portrayed as the ‘evil, mean, uncool parent.’
I worked for everything I have… I put myself through college and grad school by working two jobs while going to school. I worked hard on the job to get the promotion. I would expect the same from my kids. They would need to earn their grades/promotions/etc. fair and square.
I also expect the same thing from my students (I am an adjunct prof.)…no free grades from me and they are told that first night of class. No work, no participation, bad grades equals an F, it’s that simple.
The other issue I have with this story is that of a tax payer. I pay a high amount of taxes for a school that I don’t have kids in. I should hope they are spending my money wisely and wouldn’t resort to kids buying grades to get school funding. If I found out that were happening, I’d get on the board to figure out what the school is doing wrong with all that money & what was wrong rather than agreeing to what Ms. Shepherd is doing.
Thanks, Buzzlord, Beth and Paul. I realized that this post would be provocative and I appreciate your push back. It seems that this issue is more about principle than anything else (the concept, not the lady).
I don’t think the NC “fundraiser” described here is at all in line with the other promotions you’re discussing. In fact, it’s the reverse. For it to be consistent with other incentivized promotions, the kids would have to EARN monetary (or other) rewards with good grades, not BUY good grades (the reward) with money. The former may be acceptable; the latter is absolutely not in my opinion. I might be more okay with kids getting to “buy” an excused absence for a day or purchase the chance to skip one minor homework assignment than for the donation to so directly relate to test points. As it stands, though, this school is (was) selling grades, and it’s not cool.
Thanks for sharing your point of view, Kerry. I understand your perspective. I may be wrong, but I think the students can donate the money themselves or raise the money from others. Either way, it probably wouldn’t make a difference to those of you who oppose this in principle.
Mrs. Shepherd’s decision to back the idea, “cash for grades”, sends a message loud and clear, that her school, as well as others all across the nation, is in desperate need of financial assistance.
What is one to do, when students, are learning from used and outdated books? What is one to do, when there is not enough money in the budget to fix repairs, that could affect the students mental and physical health? What is one to do, when your plea went unanswered, or was answered with false promises?
To all you critics out there, when your back is against the wall, and you have thousands of students, and parents expecting you to come up with a solution, NOW, and look to you to back them with an idea they created, that could bring revenue to the school and improve student moral, tell me, what on God’s earth is one to do?
Times are changing, and we must change our old ways of thinking. Mrs. Shepherd could have easily rejected the idea, of “cash for grades” to keep her job, however, she did not.
Instead, she made the unselfish decision to stand behind the parents, and students, who looked up to her, expected results. Mrs. Shepherd LISTENED,….. to the parents, and took action, and action that cost her job.
Mrs. Shepherd should be allowed to keep her job, as principal. I believe she was wrongly let go, and was replaced only to smooth things over to avoid further controversy. After all t hey had to blame someone right?
So if anyone out there has a better solution, including the school administration, get out in the front of firing line, and present that idea, and quit standing in the back, criticizing and pointing fingers!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Lisa. As a former educator, I agree that teachers are getting the raw end of the deal in education today. Too many are using their own money to buy school supplies and classroom decor. Many work in run-down environments. It is pathetic.
I understand why you are concerned and rightly so. I also believe that the principal was a scapegoat as a result of the media attention.