Harvard University Subjects Earning by Learning to a Rigorous Evaluation

Thanks to a generous grant from the Smith-Richardson Foundation, Dr. Roland Fryer and his team at Harvard University are conducting a research study on Earning by Learning. This study will build on, and scientifically estimate, the intuition educators and parents have had for centuries—incentives work!

Harvard Professor Roland Fryer and his team subjected EBL to a rigorous evaluation. This effort will provide educators with hard evidence that incentive programs can improve learning and achievement.

“We have historically asked low-income urban students to work hard today for the uncertainty of college 10 years from now, with few examples of prior success to guide the way – a standard that children from wealthier families are not asked to meet. We believe incentives can help overcome the limitations of circumstance and provide kids with a short-term spark to do what is in their long-term best interest, "says Dr. Fryer.

The results of the research study, if positive, could very well mark a radical shift in education reform. Strong results would suggest that incentives could help narrow the achievement gap; something that Head Start, bussing, reducing class size, residential location, and curricular reforms have been unable to do.

The study may even spark greater discussion about “teaching to the test” at the expense of creativity and “true” learning. No incentives will be provided by EBL for students to do well on standardized tests, yet, can you imagine if incentives to read improve test scores, independent of a focus on testing? What a day! Accountability advocates, educators, and parents may finally find common strategic ground.

Read more: www.edlabs.harvard.edu/