Schools pay students for consistent attendance
February 16, 2012 11:26 am | Filed Under: Departments
After many previous failed attempts to increase attendance rates, Dohn Community High School decided to try something new. On Feb. 13, the school began offering money to students who showed up to school with good behavior. With a rise in attendance after only one day, the program proved to be very effective. (Image Credit: Atiya Dosani)

On Feb. 13, Cincinnati charter school, Dohn Community High School (DCHS), began a program to pay students for attendance and good behavior.

From the first day that the program began, attendance has gone from 68 percent to 78 percent. Students now have more of an incentive to attend school every day and work hard in class.

“I’m seeing kids that I haven’t seen probably in a week or two,” said Raymone Davenport, principal of DCHS, to WKSU News.

Every week, freshmen, sophomores and juniors receive $10, and seniors receive $25 for attending class and displaying good behavior. Of that money, $5 is put into a savings account. The savings are given to the student when they graduate.

“I’m very excited to get the money. It makes me want to come to school on time,” said Arneqka Lester, senior at DCHS, to CBS Cleveland News.

The school has tried several incentive programs in the past, but none of them had much success. Davenport said that he thinks the money incentive program is working due to the fact that many students are living in poverty.

“Our student population is 90 percent poverty. Money is important to them. We can’t teach them if they’re not here,” said Ken Furrier, CEO of DCHS, to CBS Cleveland News.

After only 14 percent of students graduated during the 2010-2011 school year, DCHS officials are hoping that the money incentive program will significantly raise that number for the current school year.