As part of the National Math and Science Initiative, some high schools have opened up their Advanced Placement courses to all students, and those who score a 3 or higher on the A.P. exam earn a $100 reward, as do their teachers.

These cash bonuses are not a good idea, financially or influentially.

The National Math and Science Initiative shouldn’t be giving schools money for students to do better on tests, they should be giving them money to provide for college scholarships, and other school fundings. If groups like this allocate their resources to paying a reward for good grades, they can become broke or have no money for sports, clubs, and replacing outdated materials in schools. While this bonus could motivate students to do well on the A.P. exam, and to take A.P. classes, it should also be expected for a student to challenge themselves in their studies and try their hardest on exams without a bonus. If a student is only taking a class because of a bonus, chances are they shouldn’t be in the class in the first place. Adding a reward could urge students to throw themselves into difficult courses that they are unprepared for just so they can earn some cash.

This new cash bonus has elicited some positive results, but what happens when students become accustomed to getting paid for their achievements? What happens when college comes and they have to learn how to push themselves without the help of money? All students should learn from a young age how to strive to do well in classes and the case bonus could potentially get in the way of that. Teachers who are paid extra money for their students succeeding shouldn’t have to be getting this extra money from an organization, they should be getting it from the government through their paycheck.

Receiving a financial award could also do the exact opposite as expected; it could take away and diminish the feeling of satisfaction that comes from earning a good grade for someone’s own sake. For many students the best part about taking a test is getting the score back to see that you got a great grade; that feeling of self-satisfaction that you did this yourself, that this was all you. If there is a bonus, it won’t be on your own. This cash reward could quickly turn into something of an addiction to students, an addiction they can’t succeed without. That is very dangerous for a growing student.

Instead of giving cash rewards, schools can offer more scholarship options to those who do well on their exams, or provide better ways for a student to prepare for an an exam.

While many students would quickly agree with receiving money for a good grade, they do not see the potential outcomes which may wreak havoc in the school, student life, and community.