As another school year closes out, I’m happy to say it’s been another successful year on the Paid for Grades front!
Eighty-eight freshman students from Boca Ciega, Lakewood, and Hollins High Schools successfully completed the Paid for Grades program during the Spring 2021 semester. Of course, that means each of them was entitled to a $500 cash prize in recognition of their hard work and accomplishments!
We held three separate ceremonies for students at each school to commemorate the occasion. Students, parents and mentors gathered to celebrate their noteworthy achievements. Due to the challenges of the 2020-2021 school year presented by Covid-19, the ceremonies took on a special significance. Each presentation was a special opportunity to honor these students for their commitments.
I’ve been fortunate enough to find a very unique and effective way to give back to the community with Paid for Grades. That’s why at the culmination of every spring semester, I like to reflect on how this organization has impacted the youngest members of our community.
How the Program Works
Paid for Grades is a semester-long program offered at participating high schools in Pinellas County. Teachers and administrators work alongside the Pinellas Education Foundation to identify and enroll students who are performing below grade level.
Over the course of the semester, the program’s primary goal is to help kids realize their full potential. Students receive tutoring to raise their grades and improve their reading ability. Students are asked to meet preset benchmarks for these figures, and complete a 12-part course of online workshops focused on improving study habits, stress management, budgeting, and job interview preparedness. Those students who accomplish this receive a $500 cash prize—simple as that. We also provide a reward for the mentors, and for participating schools.
We’ve seen some remarkable success stories with Paid for Grades. For instance, students started this year with an average reading proficiency score of 3.39. By the end of the program, it had nearly doubled to 6.73. Meanwhile, the average student’s GPA jumped from 2.3 to 2.7.
One dedicated student noted, “During this program, I learned to have a growth mindset and that there are several ways to be successful. I would recommend it to all my friends.” Another student added, “If you believe in yourself and work hard enough, you can get rewards in life.”
I think one of the coolest parts of the PFG program is that it teaches these young men and women that hard work pays off…in this case, quite literally. While the financial award functions as an initial incentive, we see students grow in their self-confidence as the semester progresses and realize that success is its own reward.
Investing in the Next Generation
I was initially inspired to create the Paid for Grades program after witnessing the lack of confidence in many high school aged students. Throughout the last eight years, my key mission has been to provide a concrete incentive for kids to prioritize their education and allocate resources to areas where they’re most needed.
Unfortunately, more than one million US students drop out of school every year. This shocking number affects our country’s economic prospects and results in an estimated $44 billion in lost tax revenue from unemployed or under-employed high school dropouts. I truly believe that giving young people the tools they need to achieve their goals will mean a brighter future for everyone.
We have a responsibility to give back to society and invest in the youngest members of our community. The PFG program continues to grow and reach more students, and I’m so grateful to the many teachers, mentors, and schools that have been a part of the journey.
And as always, I’m incredibly proud of the students who put in the work every year and prove to themselves how capable they really are.
Looking Ahead to the Future
As we close the chapter on another school year, I am hopeful that the lessons these kids learned through the PFG program will help prepare them for whatever comes next. I am confident that they will carry these new-found skills with them into future academic and career successes.
If you’re interested in getting involved with Paid for Grades, you can learn how here. It doesn’t take much to leave a positive impact, and even the smallest contributions can add up to huge positive changes down the road.
