ABCs to ATMs - The Case for Paying Students to Learn

Chapter 10: Wider Implications

Transforming the Tapestry of Society 

As we enter this final section of the book, it’s crucial to expand our lens beyond the immediate educational benefits of the Outstanda system. The implications are not restricted to classrooms or even school buildings; they ripple through families, communities, and eventually, the entire socio-economic fabric of society. 

Schools: The New Epicenters of Innovation 

Schools will no longer be mere venues for information dissemination; they will become dynamic hubs of creativity and innovation. The Outstanda system, with its focus on mastery, autonomy, and financial incentives, will dramatically alter the educational landscape. Teachers will evolve from information providers to mentors and facilitators, empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey. 

Communities: A Ripple Effect 

As schools transform, so will the communities that surround them. Increased financial stability for families will directly translate into more vibrant local economies. The democratization of education will level the playing field, allowing talent to rise regardless of socio-economic background. Communities will become more cohesive, as education turns into a shared value and a collective pursuit.

Families: The Smallest Unit of Change 

At the family level, the Outstanda system will bring about a profound shift in dynamics. Parents will become more engaged in their children’s education, not just as passive observers but as active participants. The financial incentives will alleviate household stress, allowing for a more nurturing home environment. Moreover, the system will provide parents with resources to better support their children’s academic journey.

The Long-Term View: A Society Transformed 

Imagine a generation of adults who have been nurtured through this system—a generation that is not just more educated but also more engaged, more skilled, and more financially stable. The long-term societal benefits are staggering. Government dependency rates for programs addressing unemployment, homelessness, and underemployment are likely to plummet. A workforce that is both skilled and adaptable will attract businesses, further boosting economic growth. 

In the upcoming section, we will delve deeper into each of these transformational shifts. We’ll explore how a simple yet revolutionary idea—paying students to learn—could serve as the catalyst for societal change on a scale we’ve yet to fully comprehend. The Outstanda model doesn’t just promise a better way to educate; it promises a better way to live.

 

Student Perspective

Dorian, 11th Grade, Towpath Trails High School in Akron, Ohio 

Do you think students should be paid to learn?

Yes, because we are expected to be at a building by a certain time every weekday for 3.5 hours, and for other schools 8. Everything put in front of us has a due date and is expected to be done. Then if we do not do it we lose points. The only other place like this is a JOB!

If you make more than $3,000 a year to learn, how would it change your school experience?

I would actually be excited to learn something.

How would your family be impacted if you and each of your brothers and sisters were making money going to school?

Majorly.

If you graduated from high school and had access to a savings account that had $10,000 in it, what do you think you would do with the money?

Invest.

Tell a true story about a time in your life when having $500 would have helped you a lot.

One day I woke up and tried to get in the shower for school but the water was turned off.

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Ron McDaniel
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