'Learn And Earn' Students Paid For Studying Show Improvements in Math And Science

'Learn And Earn' Students Paid For Studying Show Improvements in Math And
Science

ATLANTA, July 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fulton County students who
completed Learn and Earn, a pilot program that paid participants to attend
after-school tutoring, showed improved performances in math and science
following the completion of the 14-week program. The participating students,
eighth and eleventh graders from Bear Creek Middle School and Creekside High
School in Fairburn, Ga., were chosen on the basis of low math and science
achievement, as well as good attendance and behavior.

Learn and Earn began as an idea of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich;
was championed by Robb Pitts, Fulton County Commissioner; funded by Charlie
Loudermilk, chairman and CEO of Aaron Rents; trialed by the Fulton County
School System and the Learning Makes a Difference Foundation.

While many opponents believed that compensating students for attending
tutoring sessions sent the wrong signal, the final report noted, "All of the
students were excited about getting paid. One student stated, 'I treat it like
I'm getting paid from my parents for good grades.' Another stated, 'It is fun
to get paid for learning.' Another stated, 'It feels good. It motivates me to
learn.' One high school student stated, 'It is like a job, you drag yourself
in whether or not you feel like going.'"

As to their academic performance in math and science, Learn & Earn students
outperformed similar students in a comparison group who did not receive pay or
tutoring. Half of the Learn & Earn students improved in both math and science
while only 20-30 percent of the comparison group improved in those subjects.

"At first I didn't like school, but now that I am bringing up my grades, I
like school more and want to go to high school and college," said one
eighth-grade program participant.

Charles Loudermilk funded the Learn & Earn program and its $60,000 budget
through the Learning Makes a Difference Foundation. "If we could just take one
kid and change their life, it's worth more than I'm paying," said Loudermilk.

During student/teacher focus groups conducted following the program's
completion, students reported a more positive attitude about their academic
experience and were optimistic about their abilities to improve further in the
future. Students also reported elevated levels of self-confidence.

"The measurable improvement shown by the participating students is proof
enough that the Learn and Earn model can and does work," said Fulton County
Commissioner Robb Pitts, one of the developers of the program. "We have
stimulated the students' interest in math, as well as their overall academic
performance. We have met our objectives and look forward to opportunities to
expand this program."

"It is exciting to see students improve their performance in math and science
and become engaged in learning," said Newt Gingrich. "And as a father, I take
special pride in noting that without the leadership, persistence and hard work
of my daughter Jackie Cushman, this project would never have been completed,
and these students would not have been helped."

"We're absolutely thrilled with the results of the Learn & Earn pilot
program," said Jackie Cushman, president of Learning Makes a Difference
Foundation. "It's great to see students responding, initially to the
incentive of pay, and then to the hands-on tutoring. We noticed improvements
not only academically but in their attitude towards learning, many of them
saving the money from the program for their college education. This program
would not have been possible without the support of the Fulton County School
System, the principals of the schools involved and the master teachers who
inspired the students to move forward and embrace learning."

The mission of the LMD Foundation is to accelerate and enhance knowledge
through innovative learning programs:
-- By acting as an incubator of ideas.
-- By creating, implementing and testing new initiatives.
-- By providing funding and support to non-profit organizations and partners.

"Based on these initial results, we hope to bring the Learn & Earn program to
a larger student population in the future to positively affect more lives,"
said Cushman. "The Learning Makes a Difference Foundation strives to find new
ways to help students learn."

The results of the Learn and Earn program were evaluated by an independent
research group, Emstar Research, Inc., more information regarding the study is
available on www.lmdfoundation.org.

Learning Makes a Difference Foundation Inc. is an Atlanta-based non-profit
whose mission is to accelerate and enhance knowledge through innovative
learning programs. It is funded through private donations from individuals,
corporations, grants and foundations. For more information, visit
www.lmdfoundation.org.

About the Fulton County School System. The Fulton County School System is the
fourth largest school system in Georgia. More than 88,000 students attend 94
schools in the cities of Alpharetta, College Park, East Point, Fairburn,
Hapeville, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Palmetto, Roswell, Sandy
Springs and Union City. The district also serves students in unincorporated
Fulton County.

For More Information Contact
Jackie Cushman,
President, LMD Foundation
404-317-7120
jcushman@jackiecushman.com

Joseph DeSantis
Communications Director
Gingrich Communications
202-587-5710
jdesantis@newt.org

SOURCE Learning Makes a Difference Foundation Inc.

Jackie Cushman, President of LMD Foundation, +1-404-317-7120,
jcushman@jackiecushman.com; or Joseph DeSantis, +1-202-587-5710,
jdesantis@newt.org, for Newt Gingrich