Should Students Be Paid to Gain an Education?

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Should Students Be Paid to Gain an Education? Kids should not expect to earn money to receive an education they are fortunate to have. In the New York Times article “Rewards for Students Under a Microscope” Lisa Guernsey explains that “Research suggests that rewards may work in the short term, but have damaging effects in the long term.” Children are clearly motivated for short periods of time which does not address long term educational needs and goals. In my opinion as a student I do not think we should be paid to go to school, because for hundreds of years kids have had the honor and expectation to learn. As technology advances, it seems students are becoming lazy, and losing interest in the opportunity for an education. Too many kids just want to stay home and watch TV, play video games and go on the internet. It’s time our society takes a new approach in using technology as a significant part of a student’s education. We are in the twenty-first century now, so maybe we should act like it. On the other hand, some argue that incentives dramatically change the way students perceive their education. In the Los Angeles Times article “They Earn As They Learn” Lisa Cullen says, “She saw a definite increase in students’ excitement, enthusiasm and effort. Kids will express these characteristics when they see an opportunity for a reward. Students know the value of money, and they also know what money can buy, therefore they wouldn’t mind attempting to learn in school. Though they may be focused on the incentives, the knowledge they are taught is still being exposed to them. However, some programs do not even allow students to spend their money until they have graduated from that school. Yet, there are still those who think our society is expecting too much out of students. From Time Magazine “Is Cash The Answer?” Amanda Ripley says, “we seem to be holding kids to a

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