Every district, for a variety of reasons, wants to make sure students aren’t skipping school. And it’s no secret that many have been offering ever-more-enticing rewards for excellent attendance: everything from movies tickets to bicycles to iPods. But now some districts, with local car dealers’ help, are now offering the ultimate reward for footloose teens: brand new cars and trucks. Those in favor say it doesn’t cost the participating schools anything, financially speaking; those opposed say it sends the wrong message.
What do you think? Should students be rewarded with material goods for excellent attendance? And even if there’s no harm in rewarding students in some ways, have some districts gone too far?
