US News

REWARD$ PROGRAM PROVES A SMART BET

A controversial city program that gave kids money for high grades paid a dividend yesterday – it dramatically improved test scores.

The number of seventh-graders reaching proficiency in English shot up in 34 of 35 schools participating in the program. On math tests, the number rose at 32 of the 35 schools.

Seventeen of the schools did better than the citywide average improvement in English, and 21 did better in math.

Principals credited factors like teacher quality, class size and curriculum. But they acknowledged the cash may have played a role.

“I think it had a little bit of effect,” said Principal Virginia Connelly of The Bronx’s JHS 123, where 25.1 percent of seventh-graders improved in English and 27.6 percent improved in math.

Educators say the privately funded Spark program, run by the Department of Education, has gotten kids more focused.

“Anything to get them in the seat and attentive, we’ll take it,” Connelly said.

The Department of Education avoided attributing the test scores to the cash program.

The figures may be deceptive because, for example, only 55 percent of eligible fourth- and seventh-graders chose to accept the cash.

Nevertheless, the improvement in fourth-graders’ test scores was also impressive.

Twenty-six of 35 schools in the payment program saw an increase in fourth-graders’ English scores. In math, 24 schools had an increase.

PS 64 Principal Susan Litrico Pappas said the cash provided motivation, but that more credit should go to another part of the program – periodic assessments of student skills and needs.

“Did the children try harder? I don’t know,” she said.

The Department of Education plans a comprehensive analysis of the scores, including comparing same-school students who took cash with others who didn’t.