Check out Anne Stuhldreher awesome piece from October 15th’s Los Angeles Times entitled “Pay to learn is working in New York,” as it brings up some notable points re: motivation for students. Also, be sure to learn yourself on Spark and Ed Labs, as these programs will inspire a lot of future discussion you should be hip to.

EVERYBODY needs a little incentive. It’s 2008, and we’re all swamped with imperatives. I can’t fathom the responsibility of looking after a younger sibling in place of a parent, especially at the age of 12 or 13. I mean, I can barely look after myself at the age of 25.

When I was a kid, it was understood I would get a little scratch if I got a 90+ on any of my tests, finals and big essays. My rents (and Grammy) were big on positive reinforcement for higher-than-bar performances, and celebrated my success in all forms. I understand not every parent (or group of guardians) is this committed. But there needs to be a baseline incentive, and money is a great motivator.

Being able to associate hard work and a good grade with a tangible payoff is an incredible feeling for a youngster, as it makes the whole system of rewards a bit easier to grasp. Not only does the child feel good about the cash prize, they also start to admire the pleasures and power of knowledge. In the real world, the smartest people are the most well-respected and well-paid. This is a great message to send to America’s youth.

In a monumentally un-inspiring climate (i.e. the economy, rise of pseudo-sciences like Intelligent Design, Joe the Plumber’s career path broadcast nationwide), we need to inspire kids any way we can. Children have adult lives by default. They don’t choose their reality, which is why we need to educate them across the board. This means public education reform and evolution, especially for the underprivileged and lower-third.

Programs like Spark and Ed Labs are yet another way we can invest in a prosperous future for America. Beware of anybody hesitant to put money towards educational agriculture and/or innovative initiatives…they’re silly little relics of a time long passed. At this point it’s safe to say that everything (education, politics, economics, health care, etc.) needs to be reevaluated for the betterment of this country. This is a very acceptable starting point.