Opportunity NYC paying some parents to meet with teachers

Posted by Philissa at 7:09 AM

With new incentive programs being announced what seems like every other day, it's easy to forget where the city's presentation of financial incentives for good behavior began — way back in June, with the announcement of the Opportunity NYC program. The program, which offers cash incentives not just to poor students but to their families as well, has gotten quietly underway this fall; according to a DOE memo, the program apparently is being administered in "bi-monthly periods" and the first one comes to a close at the end of the month. Before then, parents will have a chance to earn $25 for every parent-teacher conference they attend. (Check out the Insideschools calendar for conference dates.) Principals have been instructed to tell their teachers to sign forms documenting parents' attendance. This is the first I've heard about the actual mechanics of the program — has anyone come across any other information?