what working American doesn't ask "whats in it for me"? We assume that kids just "should" want to learn and put an effort into their work but this isn't 1920 where kids are either in the fields or part of the blessed chosen white collars to receive an education. further, money is no longer something that kids are unfamiliar with. 50 years ago father may have known best and had the walet but now kids HAVE experience with money and know what its for to its full capacity. I would suggest that paying kids a graded wage based on the result of their effort, a percentage of the current minimum wage even, would do more to increase effort in school than assuming kids have the mindset of their grandpas about education.

You are not going to instill some "value" in learning without something to reinforce the behaviour. Telling pavlovs dog to drool didn't work like the meat powder did. Telling kids that they should Value learning doesn't work in a culture that has decided that every kid will be educated. Further, id suggest that it is IMPERATIVE to mold kids to fully understand the bargain we expect from them after they graduate; that they sink or swim according to the payoffs of their own effort. Again, what adult who works doesn't ask whats in it for them during the interview? Likewise, I just dont see a worthwhile reason to assume kids should be grateful for an education since it was rarer to get one during their grandfathers generation than it is during THEIR OWN generation.

remember: public education is about the kids.. not the schools.