Think Positive

You get more flies with honey than vinegar. In Psychology 101 you learn that people are more responsive to positive reinforcement than negative reinforcement or punishment. While both positive incentives and punishment can be effective at modifying behavior, punishment tends to lead to other negative responses like anger and resentment. Yet, much of our current federal education policy emphasizes the negative. And, as Psych 101 predicts there has often been a lot of anger and resentment about the law. NCLB requires states to develop an accountability system that has both sanctions and rewards. Specifically,

“Each State accountability system shall … include sanctions and rewards, such as bonuses and recognition, the State will use to hold local educational agencies and public elementary schools and secondary schools accountable for student achievement and for ensuring that they make adequate yearly progress in accordance with the State’s definition.”

Yet, the focus of NCLB has been on failure – student failing to achieve proficiency, schools failing to make AYP, interventions and sanctions. States have spent little time if any on the positive incentive side of the discussion. Why have educators ignored this basic lesson of psychology?

The Department of Education's $5 billion in "Race to the Top" and innovation funds has reignited a discussion of the role of positive incentives in motivating and supporting school reform efforts. With this boost in funding, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has a chance to reward what he refers to as "islands of excellence" in school achievement and build on those proven success stories. Join us starting tomorrow through Friday (June 3–5) for an online discussion on how policymakers can use rewards and positive incentives to encourage excellence in schools. This discussion will feature: Education Sector's Andrew Rotherham and Robert Manwaring, and experts Sir Michael Barber of McKinsey & Company; Sandy Kress, a key architect of NCLB; and Dominic Brewer, associate dean and professor at the University of Southern California. Submit your questions starting June 3, and join the conversation!
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