Comments on: Paying for grades, will it work?

By: Michelle Plaisance

Michelle Plaisance — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:06:22 +0000

Likewise, my parents rewarded me for getting good grades my whole life. They did not reward me with money. Instead my reward for getting good grades consisted of my family and I going eat out at my favorite restaurant or my parents allowing me to have friends sleep over or something like that. By them giving me the incentive to continue to get good grades allowed me to look forward to making those good grades. I did not realize that good grades could be enough of a reward until I graduated high school and came to Nicholls. Now my incentive to get good grades will be rewarded with a college diploma and a promising career for the rest of my life. My parents did the same thing for my older brother, but he did not take to their incentives as much as I did. I agree with Derrick on the point of consumers acting differently for certain things that have incentives such as Titmuss’ example of giving blood. I give blood on a regular basis and feel very rewarded by the thought of my blood saving someone’s life. If someone would pay me to give blood it probably would be more of an incentive ,but would take away from the good feeling of giving something to someone with out a payment. When someone pays you to do a good dead it doesn’t seem so good any more.

By: Audra Cook

Audra Cook — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 20:01:18 +0000

My parents never believed in paying my siblings and me for grades. They would always tell us that the good grade was reward enough. I can see both sides of the argument. Parents want to motivate their children to do better, but children should want to be successful in school for more then direct payoff at the end of the semester. If they value their education then the grades that they earned should be enough of a reward.
I think Fryer’s idea to pay children for grades would be the beginning of many problems. As Derrick pointed out, what else will people want to get paid for? It is not the governments job to motivate people to be the best they can be. The government already does its part to help those in need and people take advantage of it. Who’s to say they won’t in this situation as well? I am a firm believer in the idea that hard work pays off, which doesnt necessarily mean $20 for an A.

By: morris.coats

morris.coats — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 23:32:43 +0000

Mr. Toups,

An excellent point. One that would have made Bastiat hemiself proud. The money that Fryer is planning on using, of course, would come out of tax-payer pockets. The result, of course, would be reduced incentives for everyone else, those past school age. It is important to remember to look not only at what is above the surface, that which is seen, but also below the surface, that which is unseen, as Bastiat reminded us. We must look at both the direct and indirect effects of policy suggestions. Good job, Mr. Toups.

By: Derrick Toups

Derrick Toups — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:19:20 +0000

We all love incentives, especially money. I remember my grandmother giving me $20 for all A’s once. Although my school gave me a free slushie from the 7-11, that was hardly enough to get me to study harder. Consumers react differently in certain markets than they would in another- take Titmuss’ example of blood and Fryer’s cash rewards. I would certainly rather get paid to study than give blood. Not because I’m afraid of needles, but I rather do something that I personally could gain from. Call it selfish, but the incentive of gaining knowledge outweighs that of giving blood. Nonetheless, Fryer’s idea of rewarding students with money lacks support and should I add financial contributions? This money is most likely going to come from our pockets. Although we all like incentives, especially money, Fryer’s rewards would just cause a demand for rewards elsewhere. Going to church, taking the bus, not smoking… Almost anything seen as beneficial to the environment or to oneself could be rewarded, but sometimes we don’t know where to draw the line.