It amazes me that a school will implement a plan while acknowledging it will fail to do what it is intended to do. I have talked about this before, a single motivator will not work for everyone and the school knows this, but have given up on the lesser students.
Think about it, they say they want to motivate academic endeavors, yet if a student is working hard and making steady Cs, they get twisted over by this plan. It only rewards those that are good at “school” and denies those that really struggle.
That’s a plan?? Come on, these are supposed to be intelligent people working to get the best out of the students, whatever that is. Some skate and make As and some work very hard and don’t. Rewards are to match the effort, and there is wisdom in knowing what effort gives what results.
Think about it…
PJStar.com - Journal Star News
MINONK - Fieldcrest students soon can take their As and Bs to the bank for $10s and $5s.
District 6 is implementing a new program this year called “Hooray for As,” designed to recognize students for their academic efforts. Local banks have agreed to provide financial backing for the program, which will allow students to submit report cards with As and Bs into a random drawing…
…”It’s a small thing, but every little bit helps. It’s a nice little pat on the back and it’s recognition. Even if we get two or three kids to be motivated, it’s a success,” said Fieldcrest High School Principal Bill Lapp…
…School officials realize the money may not provide much motivation for kids who wouldn’t otherwise try hard, but “public exposure for kids who get money for grades is probably going to have a more positive impact than the money itself,” Vincent said…
.gif)
5 responses so far ↓
1 Dave J. (64 comments.) // Oct 2, 2005 at 9:18 pm
So what’s the problem? Isn’t motivation about results, not effort? Or do you think that the schools are measuring results wrong by using grades?
I’ve been assigned a lousy territory for the last four years and was happy to finally escape. Wish I was paid for my effort, instead of the results.
(Honest questions, not as bitter as it may sound.)
2 Larry Hendrick // Oct 3, 2005 at 9:00 pm
Let me ask you two questions. 1) Who needs motivating the most the A students or the D students and 2) is the school paid to educate and motivate only the A students or all the students. I will talk more about this on this week’s podcast which will be posted Wednesday morning.
Motivation is about getting the best out of someone. Management is about making sure there are no “lousy territories” to languish in. Motivation can involve effort and results if put together correctly.
How about percentage of GPA increase which is something all students can participate in. Even a lousy territory can yield a percentage increase for a reward as long as the goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, realistic and timely (SMART).
3 Red // Oct 4, 2005 at 12:15 pm
I’m sorry I didn’t catch this earlier.
You misspelled both “yield” and “achievable.” The I before E except after C spelling rule doesn’t work all the time, but it works most of the time.
4 Larry Hendrick // Oct 4, 2005 at 1:15 pm
Sorry for the typos. I will try harder…
5 Dave J. (64 comments.) // Oct 11, 2005 at 11:37 am
Larry, thanks for your response. Actually, listening to #17 clarified what you were driving at very well. I couldn’t see what you saw in that story you posted. Thats why you are the motivation man!
Unfortunately, it helped me see the inequities of both our territory assignments and compensation, and hence their uselessness to motivate. Tempted to forward #17 to the sales manager if I thought it would do any good.
Leave a Comment