Students Get $50 A Week For Attending School—But There's A Catch

Education plays a central role in shaping a person’s future. However, attending school consistently can sometimes be challenging for students, particularly those facing difficult circumstances. To address this issue, an innovative program in California offers a novel solution: paying students to attend school.

This initiative aims to tackle absenteeism by providing financial incentives to boost student attendance and engagement. A new program has been piloted in the Oakland Unified School District, where students receive $50 a week for attending school.

This program, managed by the Equitable Design Project, is designed to encourage regular attendance and engagement in learning. The initiative spans ten weeks and involves 100 students across seven schools in the district.

To receive the weekly stipend, students must meet specific criteria: attend school every day, be punctual, and avoid absences. Additionally, students must meet with a program leader weekly and complete assessments of their mental health and classroom experience.

The program has been operational for two years and targets high school students, particularly those with a history of severe absenteeism. Many students come from unstable living conditions or face significant challenges outside of school.

By offering financial incentives, the program addresses some students' barriers, such as transportation costs or inadequate clothing for harsh weather conditions.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Zaia Vera, a leader of the project and head of social-emotional learning at Oakland Unified, states that the program's primary goal is to help students build positive relationships and feel valued within the school environment.

"The money is a hook that gets them into school. It’s the relationships, it’s being valued that keeps the students in school," said Zaia Vera.

Students from the Oakland Unified School District have been receiving $50 a week as an incentive to attend school.

Getty Stock Image

Kevin 'AJ' Goines, who supports high school students with academic and emotional challenges, also highlighted how the financial incentive helps address practical issues contributing to absenteeism. Goines noted that for some students, barriers like the lack of bus fare or proper winter clothing can prevent them from attending school regularly.

The program helps alleviate these obstacles and keeps students focused on their education by providing financial support.

"There are some families and students where there are huge barriers causing their truancy. They would say, ‘I don’t have money for the bus’ or, in some cases, ‘I don’t have a proper jacket, and it’s cold and it’s raining.’ Those were the things that we just didn’t have answers for," said Kevin 'AJ' Goines.

The Impact of Financial Incentives

Offering financial incentives for school attendance can be a double-edged sword. According to Dr. Alfie Kohn, an education expert, "While these programs can initially boost attendance, they may unintentionally undermine intrinsic motivation in the long run." Incentives can lead students to attend for the wrong reasons, creating a transactional relationship with education. Kohn suggests that schools should pair financial incentives with engaging curricula and mentorship programs, fostering a genuine love for learning while addressing attendance issues.

The school district reported that absenteeism has decreased by 50%.

After two years of implementation, the program's results have been promising. The Oakland Unified School District reported a significant reduction in absenteeism, with attendance rates improving by 50%. This success underscores the potential of financial incentives to enhance school participation and academic engagement.

Getty Stock Image

This program's funding comes from a $200,000 grant provided by Education First, a national education policy organization. The Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and the NoVo Foundation have contributed additional financial support.

This financial backing demonstrates a commitment to exploring innovative solutions to longstanding educational challenges. Paying students to attend school represents a creative approach to overcoming barriers to education.

This program seeks to improve attendance rates and ensure that students have the opportunity to succeed academically by addressing practical and motivational issues. As this initiative continues to evolve, it could offer valuable insights into practical strategies for promoting regular school attendance and supporting students facing significant challenges.

Dr. Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, emphasizes the importance of fostering a growth mindset among students. She argues that, while external rewards can motivate attendance, internal motivation is crucial for long-term educational success.

In her work, Dweck suggests that schools should focus on cultivating resilience and a passion for learning through supportive environments rather than solely relying on financial incentives. Encouraging students to set personal academic goals and celebrate their achievements fosters a more sustainable approach to education and attendance.

Healing Approaches & Techniques

Education systems face the ongoing challenge of improving student attendance, especially in underserved communities. While financial incentives like the $50 weekly program can provide immediate boosts, experts remind us that cultivating intrinsic motivation is essential for lasting results.

As Dr. Carol Dweck emphasizes, focusing on the value of learning over monetary rewards creates a more enriching educational experience. Schools should aim to implement complementary strategies that foster a love for learning and resilience, ensuring students attend school not just for the money, but for their future.