🚀 go-pugleaf

dermer@convex.csd.uwm.edu (Marshall Dermer) writes:

 >I have been told that paying children for learning is bribery. Bribery,
 >however, involves a powerful person inducing another to behave in ways
 >that violate the latter's self-interest.

From 'The New (1992) Websters Dictonary':

Bribe 1. (n) a secret gift (usually of money) offered to a person in a
         position of trust, e.g. a public servant, to persuade him to
         turn his power to the advantage of the person offering the gift
         || any enticement meant to condition behaviour.

It would be a bribe. But I'm not sure that I have a problem with that. We
would have to wait until the practice became widespread to understand the
real effects of such a program. I suspect it might be worthwhile as a method
to at least get them (underpriviledged, unmotivated kids) though high school.

I remember rushing down to the local McDonalds with my grade school report
cards and filling up on free cheeseburgers, one for each A. What ever
happened to that? My fifth grade son regularly comes home with free pizza
coupons from 'Pizza Hut' for the extra books he reads. Perhaps some local
franchises could be persuaded to start something similar in Milwaukee.

It might also be wise for the school to be involved in some way to see that
at least part of the money gets put in some kind of school administered bank
and have withdrawals controlled in some way. I recall the recent 'Christmas
Party' at a Cabrini Green school where parent 'volunteers' stole childrens'
presents donated by Montgomery Wards, and were later seen selling them on
the streets.


glenn  

(UWM alum, BA Math 84)

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