I read an interested article about a program in New York that offers financial incentives to selected families for participating in education, including payment for attending parent conferences, improving student performance, and even graduating. Opportunity NYC is modeled after a program in Mexico called Oportunidades (more info here), which has been replicated in many countries around the world.
These kinds of initiatives are called “conditional cash transfer” programs. The idea is to reduce poverty and encourage desired behaviors by providing cash incentives to groups who meet specific criteria. These programs have been successful in reducing poverty, increasing preventative health care, and raising school enrollment.
This is interesting in light of our recent discussions about compulsory education. Many of us expressed opinions that while we value education and view it as a basic human right, perhaps it should not be compulsory.
A conditional cash transfer program offers an interesting alternative.
Some have criticized the Opportunity NYC program as being patronizing in the way it offers cash payments to poor people. Others have said the money could be better spent in other ways. However, this bold experiment just might work (as it apparently has in many other places).
It is certainly a very direct funneling of funds toward those in need with little chance of misdirection or enriching unintended middle parties. The key will be in reaching the right people and making sure the behaviors incentivized are the ones that will result in the desired outcomes, in this case, a successful educational experience for children.
What do you think?