I have heard of many tactics to encourage children to stay in school. When I was in school, the phrase, “be cool stay in school” was very popular. At some point in time I have seen famous stars telling students through commercials how important it is to stay in school and get an education.
However Tucson, Arizona has came up with an idea that I have never heard of before now. Tucson is now paying selected high school students to stay in school. A new program was developed after over twenty thousand teenagers dropped out of school in Arizona in 2006.
The new program selected 175 low-income high school students. Seventy-five of the students were from one high school, Amphi High. The other 100 students were from another school, Rincon High.
In order to qualify for the twenty-five dollars a week, the students must have good grades and keep out of trouble. The students seem to welcome the idea with open arms.
I think that twenty-five dollars a week is a lot of money for some of these students. Many drop out and get a job to help the family with expenses. This way they can stay in school and still earn money. Other students drop out because they have no reason not to leave. Their family does not care and they see no reason to stay in school. The money gives them a reason.
Although, I think that this is probably the best strategy so far to keep students in school, I am not sure how well it will come across to students who are not earning money from keeping up their grades and staying out of trouble. I wonder how the special selection of students will come across to the student body. I can see where some students would be very resentful that they too were not earning money for doing the exact same thing.