It is a well known fact that education is one of the strongest forces behind economical growth both for individuals and for nations. Students coming from low-income families have many pressures that arise from their immediate survivability concerns and find it hard to shut themselves out of their daily hardship to immerse themselves in studies that are difficult and offer no immediate relief to their current problems.
According to psychological theories it is hard to make someone invest in fulfilling needs that are lower on their need pyramid when the higher needs are still not satisfied. In this case the need to fulfill their personal growth potential and invest in a better future is lower than the need for immediate solution for food and shelter.
This is why I think so many kids from low-income families are not doing well in school-they simply have more important things to deal with.
Instead of trying to change the motivation for these kids I suggest finding a method that will help them do both. I suggest a method that will accomplish the goal of improving their education to create a more productive and capable individual as well as help them in their immediate situation.
I suggest that some of the education funds be put aside to directly compensating low-income students on success.
A student will get a salary every month according to his participation / grades and a yearly bonus according to final grades. These salaries will come from both government and private sources and will come from the understanding that students need to get compensated for their effort, even if it is learning. Doing math exercised or learning biology is much harder to most people than flipping burgers. The question is do you want a nation of burger flippers or of scientists? Why would anyone work hard for free when they can work less and get paid?
For students coming from high-income families and for students from low-income families that have demonstrated high achievements, the needs pyramid allows for using other forms of compensation instead of cash. They can be motivated with awards, social recognition, advanced courses and other things they will appreciate.
Low income students can also get cash compensation for creating worksheets and grading lower grade assignments. They will be taught that they can make money from their education.
