Fund the Future: Report Card Rewards in Juneau

May 04, 2011|By Ted Land | Fund the Future

Erica Coulson

JUNEAU, Alaska — Each month Channel 2 awards a scholarship to a deserving Alaskan student. This month’s winner is 11-year-old Chris Coulson, a Juneau student who volunteers during the holidays, practices Judo most weeknights, and gets something in return for his good grades.

Wouldn't it be nice if students like Chris Coulson strived for good grades, strictly because they knew it would someday get them into college or an internship?

The Juneau sixth grader knows getting on the honor roll is the right thing to do and that it makes mom and dad happy -- but truth is there's something else in it for him.

"Well we gave him $10 for his A's, $5 for his B's, a dollar for a C, and if he gets D's and F's, then he owes us money," said Erica Coulson, Chris' mom.

Chris' latest report card brought in 57 bucks, which his parents are making him save.

It's a way to practice self-control, a value Chris has been learning most weeknights during Judo practice.

The martial arts are all about discipline, but the Coulson's say once practice is over, they try to get out the way, and just let Chris be Chris.

"We let him express himself. He's had blue hair, he wants red hair, but we figure [if] he's staying out of trouble, [if] he's doing good in school, we can't really ask for more," said Erica.

Erica said she knows the report card rewards won't always work, but that for now, they're worth the cost.

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