Bribery For School Attendance?

Hmm…enticing kids with money to show up for school? Is this a clever ploy, or the contrary? I’m inclined to go with the latter. For a little background information on what the heck I’m talking about, here’s a press release from DISD:

Two donors have joined DISD School Board president Lew Blackburn’s campaign to encourage student attendance on the first day of school. Supporters pledged an additional $2,000 to Blackburn’s efforts to boost attendance.

Last week, Blackburn issued a personal pledge to award $500 debit cards to three students who show up for classes in DISD on time Monday, Aug. 27. He also issued a challenge to supporters to make matching donations.

“I’m happy to contribute,” said Mark Koch, whose company, Koch Fabricating Machinery, pledged $1,000 to the incentive plan. The North Dallas Chamber added the remaining $1,000 to the attendance incentive.

“I am pleased that Dallas ISD has strong supporters interested in students getting to school on the first day, and every day,” Blackburn said.

A total of 15 students will be randomly selected electronically through the district’s MIS department to receive the incentives. The gift cards will be distributed as follows: Two middle and two high school students will each receive $500 debit cards; one elementary student will receive a $500 debit card; and 10 additional elementary students will receive a $100 debit card.

Is bribing kids with money to attend school a good thing or a bad thing? What do you think?