Why Student Recognition Programs Work: Best Practices, Research, and Case Studies

This white paper summarizes research related to motivation and the use of reinforcers and incentives in education as well as highlights school-based programs nationwide making use of extrinsic rewards.

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RESEARCH SUMMARY

A growing body of academic research validates the use of recognition and rewards programs to engage students and motivate the behavior necessary to generate positive academic outcomes.

PROGRAM PROGRAM OUTCOME
Incentives in Charter Schools

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Source: Study by Margaret Raymond, Stanford University, 2008

 Scores on state achievement reading tests increased 4-6% per year of program participation.
Incentives to Learn

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Source: Experimental study by Kremer, Miguel, and Thornton, NBER, 2004

 Kenyan girls showed significant gains in test scores (average gain 0.12-0.19 standard deviations) and these gains persisted when incentives were removed.
Opportunity NYC: Spark

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Source: New York Post, 2008 & 2009, LA Times, 2008
  • 17 of the 35 schools performed better in English, and 21 performed better in math.
  • 12% increase in # of seventh graders meeting Language Arts state standards, and 15% increase for math.
  • Two-thirds of the 59 program schools improved test scores since last year, with gains at some schools up to 40 percentage points.
APIP (Advanced Placement Incentive Program)

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Source: APIP and experimental study by C. Kirabo Jackson, Cornell University, 2008
  • Increased # of minority students passing exams from 10 in 1995 to 377 in 2006.
  • 33% increase in the # of students scoring above 1100 on SAT or 24 on the ACT.
  • 8% increase in the # of students who matriculate in college.
Ohio School District "Coshocton Bucks"

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Source: Study by Dr. Eric Bettinger, Case Western Reserve University, 2008
  • Increase in # of students attending optional tutoring.
  • Increase in math scores for third - sixth graders.
Stocks in the Future

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Source: Study by John Hopkins University, 2008
  • Seventh graders outscored comparison group by 31% on standardized test.
  • Sixth graders outscored comparison group by 18% on standardized test.
Learn & Earn

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Source: EMSTAR Research, Inc., 2008

 Students’ science grades significantly improved while control group students’ grades declined.
REACH

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Source: New York Times, 2007

 In Chemistry, the number of passing scores increased by as much as 82%.
Earning by Learning

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Source: Dallas ISD studies, 2001 & 2006
  • Students performed better on Texas Assessment of academic skills.
  • Students read more outside of class.
  • Student demonstrated increased reading comprehension skills.
Success Academy

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Source: The Miami Herald, 2009
  • Seven of the nine participating schools made double-digit gains on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests, according to data from the state DOE.
Crowley County

Source: KOAA, 2009
  • Attendance increased an average of 6.5%.
  • rease in GPAs
  • One year prior to the program, not one student got straight As. With the program, 11 students earned all As.

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