Central Middle School in Cape Girardeau is receiving a reward for lack of achievement.

Okay, that’s not exactly how it works: the federal government is forking over $40,000 to Central after they failed to make adequate yearly progress for two consecutive years. They must then plan uses for how that money can turn their ship around; some of their thoughts are increased transportation for afterschool tutoring and “smartboards” that project computer screens.

What if that doesn’t work?

What if money isn’t the answer?

I know that sounds ludicrous—money solves everyone’s problems! Your carpenter is doing a poor job on your house—you just double what you’re paying him and poof! His work ethic improves and he can buy himself some new, fancy power tools. Poof! He’s become a better carpenter, and he’s installed an exceptional hardwood floor. Now maybe that would work, but I bet most people say “Hey, Mr. Carpenter, if your want to get paid at all please stick to our contract and do some better work.”

Not so for public education. In no other industry is poor performance rewarded.

With each continuing year a school fails to make AYP, the consequences get more severe, leading ultimately to a complete restructuring. These consequences apply only to Title 1 schools.

As an inadequate Title 1 school, students are eligible to transfer to a better-performing school district. That seems like a better incentive, but I’ve always wondered why only Title 1 school children are eligible to be removed from a failing district.

"When you are forced to be in school improvement, it makes you turn over every rock and see where your barriers are so you can begin addressing them," Kiehne said.

Now, Kiehne (Principal) seems like an honest guy, but that quote particularly upset me. The threat of consequences was finally their ‘come to Jesus’ moment: not their desire to give students a great education, not even students failing—and certainly not a big check from the state. We need to have a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t, and we need to hold our schools accountable before they ‘have to shape up’.