vortigern

" bad things are given more money and as it's a limited pot then it's taken away from the good ones... ie. rewards for doing badly, punishment for good!"

you have your terminology mixed up.
*positive reinforcement: something added after a respone which increases the likelyhood of response occuring again when similar stimuli is presented.
*negative reinforcement: something taken away after a response which increases thelikelyhood of response occuring again when similar stimuli is presented
*punishment: something added after a response which decreases the likelyhood of response occuring again when similar stimuli is presented.

i'm an educator. i have worked in the low income schools. the policies here regarding funding are skewed in favor of those who have adequate financial means. it is not right.

thank you for your kind words regardless of our differing views, though.

it isn't that these kids aren't interested in academics... they actually love school. it's a safe place for them. it's one of the few consistencies in their lives. i'm saying it is difficult to do well on a test and find that test important when your cognitions are domiinated by stressors affecting basic physiological and safety needs. look at maslow's hierarchy of needs. perhaps then you will have a greater understanding for this concept.
i'm beginning to become aggitated with your arguement in favor of taking funds from schools who perform poorly on academic standardized tests. until you go into these schools and really experience it, i do not care ot hear anymore of your logic in defense of this issue.