Study: Certificates More Motivating Than Cash Rewards To Middle School Students.

The Chalkbeat Tennessee (9/14, Tatter) reports a study by researchers at Vanderbilt University found that middle school students were more motivated to attend after-school tutoring programs if they received certificates of recognition as a reward rather than money. The study followed a large group of students offered after-school tutoring services and randomly assigned the students to receive certificates, money, or no reward for attendance. The study found that the students who received certificates mailed to their homes, rather than given directly to them, were even more likely to continue participating in the program, perhaps because their parents received the certificates and praised their children for their work. The study also found a gender disparity in that female students were more responsive to receiving certificates than their male counterparts.