The District Chronicles

Issue date: 11/2/08 Section: Cover

Eleven-year-old David Shelton is one of the many students who believe the program will inspire students to do better in school and earn more money. "It lets students know you can get paid for the academics that you do inside of the classroom," Shelton said.

But because Shelton had just transferred from Hyde Leadership Public Charter School, he did not receive a check. But come the day for the next pay cycle, Shelton is determined to cash in.

"I know the next two weeks I can earn the check," the sixth grader said. "I will make sure I've got all of my homework in and go to class on time. I will also make sure I do extra well in class. Next check, I want to have $100."

Fourteen-year-old Daamonte Brown, quarterback for the school's football team, made $20 in the last pay cycle, but plans to make more money next time.

"It's what I deserved," the eighth grader said. "Academically, I was on and off. Sometimes I did the work, sometimes not. I'm getting paid to do work. Now I'm motivated to keep doing the work so I can get money for it."

Brian Betts, Shaw Middle School principal, has noticed changes in students' behaviors already. "The biggest change I've seen so far has been in on-time attendance," he said. "We really decreased our tardiness to school. We also decreased kids hanging out in the hallway.

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