3 background information for Should You Be Rewarded for Good Grades from JUNIOR SCHOLASTIC magazine
1. Academic performance and grades are often seen as indicators of a student's effort, dedication, and understanding of the material. Recognizing and rewarding good grades can serve as motivation for students to excel in their studies and reinforce positive behaviors.
2. Different schools and education systems around the world have varying approaches to rewarding good grades. Some schools offer tangible rewards such as gift cards, certificates, or even cash incentives, while others provide non-material incentives such as recognition in school assemblies, honor rolls, or opportunities for advanced classes or special projects.
3. Critics of rewarding good grades argue that external rewards might undermine a student's intrinsic motivation to learn and reduce the focus on the learning process itself. They argue that students should be encouraged to learn for the sake of gaining knowledge and personal growth rather than monetary or material gains. Additionally, critics suggest that rewarding only good grades might create an unhealthy competition among students, leading to increased stress and pressure.